Meet the Team - Uri Teitler

What’s your full name? Uri Teitler
What’s your current position in the club? Hon Secretary & Public Officer
How long have you been in the role ? This is my second year 
When did you first join? 2013
Can you tell us about your lifesaving journey? My wife Tracey would bring our first child, Sarah down for U6 and U7 on Sundays for Nipper whilst I would go out riding. When Sarah was in U8 and my second, Noah was in U6, Tracey explained that she couldn't be at two ends of the beach at the same time and that was the beginning of my adventure down at South Maroubra. By mid-season I realised it was going to be more interesting in the water than just watching so I enrolled in the next available Bronze Medallion and I was doing Water Safety by December. The next season I became Water Safety Co-ordinator and in 2016 Deputy Director of Youth which I held for 2 Years. Along the way I set out to collect at least one award/qualification a year .. started with Age Manager's then IRBC and IRB Driver, Officials Course, Silver Beach Management, Spinal, Advanced First Aid and most recently ARTC. Last year I was asked to join the Board and have been enjoying the role of Secretary since.
What positions have you held in the club? Water Safety Co-ordinator, Deputy Director of Youth, Vice Captain of Patrol 15, Hon Secretary & Public Officer. I was also Deputy Director of Youth for Sydney Branch in 2021/22.
Any highlights? I have very much enjoyed watching my family grow up and around the club to the extent that they feel like its their second home and we have established a whole new friendship group. We choose Sth Maroubra as we recognised that if the kids could learn to handle the surf here they could handle surf anywhere, but reality is that the club has given us so much more. Biggest highlights would be via the kids .. both being Junior Club Captains in their respective years and then both later on to become Youth Lifesaver of the Year for Sydney Branch.
What does the future hold and any advice to fellow members? I'm excited about the future of the club. The Board has a grand vision for the physical club house and the strategic 5 year plan puts in place the foothold for a vibrant community organisation. The simple advice is get involved. The more you put in the more you get out of it and the better the place is for everyone. To paraphrase JFK .. 'Do not ask what your club can do for you .. ask what you can do for your Club'