“I wanted to give back to the community, be surrounded by like-minded people and I wanted to gain new skills.”
Growing up in Gisborne, joining a surf lifesaving club was a no-brainer, she said.
“We are fortunate enough to have some incredible beaches.”
Since then, Ana has become an integral part of the movement, dedicating her time and skills to a number of roles, including patrol captain, instructor, inflatable rescue boat (IRB) coach, supporter and competitor, Search and Rescue (SAR) squad member, and club committee member.
She received the Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year award at the recent SLSNZ Gisborne-Tairāwhiti Awards of Excellence presentations.
One particularly memorable and challenging moment in her volunteering journey was her first surf rescue.
“I was on unsupervised study at the time and yes, my school principal found out.
“I noticed an elderly Irish couple were getting swept out to sea pretty quickly at Roberts Road and they were demonstrating typical signs we, as surf lifeguards, are trained to identify.
“It was a very anxious time for them both, but luckily it was one of those ‘right place, right time’ scenarios while I was searching for the perfect wave . . . I mean, studying.”
In reality, Ana was out having fun in the surf on a malibu board and used that to rescue the couple.
Experiences like these are precisely why Ana is passionate about volunteering.
“For me it’s about giving back — being able to give back to the community that I grew up in is pretty special.
“I also hope to leave a place better than how I found it and inspire some of the younger generation and females in the realm that they can do the same.”
Volunteering has also played a significant role in Ana’s personal growth and development.
“From being able to meet new people and develop networks to achieving various awards in surf lifesaving, operating an IRB or rescue water craft, leadership skills and so on . . . the opportunities have been great.”
It’s not without its challenges.
Ana works as a physiotherapy team leader at Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti and the work keeps her busy.
Like all volunteers she faces the balancing act between paid work and volunteering.
“Volunteers are great at saying ‘yes’ and often struggle with the concept of saying ‘no’.
“It comes down to always being able to find time and prioritise the things that we enjoy doing.”
Nevertheless, Ana says she wouldn’t have it any other way, and she encourages anyone thinking about getting involved with surf lifesaving to head to their local club and give it a go.
“Get amongst it. We have to be brave and learn to be comfortable with the uncomfortable.
“There are so many avenues to take, so I would encourage you to give it a go, and if you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask.
“And if you find yourself on patrol at Waikanae you might even nab yourself one of my brownies and you’ll never want to leave.”
To learn more about SLSNZ, its surf lifesaving services, and how you can support or become a volunteer, visit surflifesaving.org.nz
