Australian of the Year

What started out as a solo sunrise dip in the ocean for Tara Jeisman has grown into a nationwide movement – Sea Gals – for tens of thousands of women to meet up and go for an ocean dip.  

Tara posted online about her solitary swim and was struck by the number of comments from women who wished they could do the same. In response, Tara invited all women to go for a sunrise dip; five women attended that first meet-up and Sea Gals was born. 

Today, Sea Gals has 30,000 followers and regularly attracts hundreds of women at morning dips around Western Australia and on the east coast. The aim is to create a safe space where women can feel comfortable, connected and supported. The group also hosts wellness events, raises money for charity and promotes mental health awareness. 

Tara has taken the simple pleasure of going for a dawn dip and created a whole community of fellow swimmers finding support, promoting good mental health and inspiring confidence in each other’s company.