Meet Vanessa

Swim Instructor and Lifeguard, Vanessa Escudeiro Santos Daly, grew up in Brazil where she worked as a lawyer. But her love of the water started when she was just a small child. As a teenager Vanessa swam competitively and as a young adult she participated in the Brazilian Master's Swimming Championships.

She remembers having to rescue her grandmother from a swimming pool when she was a teenager and has had an affinity for lifesaving ever since.

After marrying an Australian, Vanessa moved to Australia for the first time, but shortly after relocated to London for work.

“I lived in London for 8 years and when I returned to Australia, I finally turned my passion for swimming into a career by becoming a swim teacher,” she said.

“I have always loved the water,” she explained. “Every week I would take my kids to swimming lessons in a public pool in Melbourne and after their lesson we would spend another hour just playing in the pool.”

It was then that she noticed that many children were not as comfortable and confident in the water as hers, and she wanted to help them. Vanessa signed up to train as a swim instructor.

One of the things she enjoys most about being a swim instructor is watching students develop from being afraid of the water to becoming confident swimmers.

“This is incredibly rewarding and motivates me every day,” she said. “I've also gained a deep appreciation for the gradual progress of the students.  Sometimes, it’s not about the immediate rescue but helping students gradually build their skills and confidence over time.”

Vanessa said the swim instructor role provided flexibility and supported her work/life balance while providing training and opportunities for professional development along the way.

For Vanessa, the biggest challenge is the Melbourne climate.  “I find it challenging when the water is not as warm as I would like, especially in Melbourne winter!” she exclaimed.

Vanessa encourages more women to step into lifesaving and swim instruction, calling it a highly rewarding and fulfilling career.

“You won’t look back,” she said. “As a swim teacher in a lifesaving role, the most valuable lesson I've learned is the power of prevention and education.”

“Teaching students the fundamentals of water safety, from basic swimming skills to more advanced lifesaving techniques, helps prevent accidents before they even happen. I’ve seen firsthand how building confidence in the water can make a significant difference in someone’s ability to stay safe.”

Inspired by Vaness’s story? Learn more about how you can get involved in lifesaving and aquatics through Pink Patrol.