The People Behind the Mission
CWSA was founded by two fathers and lifelong watermen who believe every family deserves to enjoy Australia's coastline without fear. We combine ocean expertise, modern technology, and a genuine passion for water safety to protect the beaches our kids are growing up on.
Nathan Hall
Ocean Background
Nathan Hall is an experienced water safety and emergency management professional whose life and career have been shaped by a deep connection to the ocean. Since the age of ten, he has been involved in water sports, building practical expertise, resilience, and calm decision-making in challenging environments.
In competitive sailing, Nathan has won an Australian title and has also competed in offshore racing, where success depends on endurance, preparation, teamwork, and sound judgement at sea. His passion for the water extends to surfing, kitesurfing, and freediving, giving him broad experience across a range of ocean conditions and disciplines.
Nathan is also an experienced scuba diver who has dived with sharks and developed a strong appreciation for the marine environment. This lifelong involvement with the ocean has given him a genuine respect for water safety, environmental awareness, and the demands of operating confidently in unpredictable natural conditions.
Emergency Management Leadership
Alongside his marine background, Nathan has given 23 years of volunteer service to the NSW Rural Fire Service. He is the Coordinator of all chainsaw training in the Mid Coast District and is responsible for maintaining capability, safety standards, and operational readiness in a high-risk field. He holds the highest chainsaw qualification as a Fire Line Tree Feller, reflecting advanced technical ability, leadership, and a strong safety focus.
For the past 10 years, Nathan has also served on the Specialist Remote Firefighting Team, working in demanding remote environments where self-sufficiency, sound planning, and disciplined procedures are essential. A key strength throughout his emergency service work has been his emphasis on emergency planning and procedures, ensuring teams are prepared, risks are managed, and operations are carried out safely and effectively.
What Nathan Brings to CWSA
Nathan brings together practical leadership, high-level operational experience, and a lifelong passion for the water and the natural environment. His background reflects a rare combination of marine knowledge, emergency response capability, and commitment to training, safety, and service.
- Competitive sailing — Australian title winner
- Offshore racing experience
- Surfing, kitesurfing & freediving
- Experienced scuba diver
- 23 years NSW Rural Fire Service
- Fire Line Tree Feller (highest qualification)
- Mid Coast District Chainsaw Training Coordinator
- 10 years Specialist Remote Firefighting Team
- Emergency planning & procedures specialist
- Operational leadership & risk management
Samba Mann
Professional Surfing & Coaching
Samba Mann has spent his life in the ocean. Turning professional at just sixteen, he competed at the national and international level before transitioning into coaching, where his impact has been extraordinary. He coached Matt Formston AM — Paralympian cyclist, Guinness World Record holder, and Order of Australia recipient — to his first ISA World Para Surfing Championship gold medal, winning gold together as coach and athlete along with silver in the overall Games. He also coached Barney Miller to a World Title, earning a place on the Wall of World Champions at the World Surf League.
A Level 2 high-performance coach with over 20 years of experience, Samba maintains direct weekly contact with more than 50 surf families across the Mid North Coast. He is also Contest Director of the Ride the Wave Pro, Port Macquarie's premier junior surf competition, now in its second consecutive year under his direction and its most successful to date.
Water Safety & Ocean Operations
Samba's water safety credentials are among the most accomplished in the country. He served as Head of Water Safety on the WSL World Tour, managing jet ski operations and ocean safety at the highest level of professional surfing. His work with veterans through Surfing Australia's Soldier On programme saw him run surf therapy camps, and he has worked alongside the Australian military and Air Force in water safety operations.
As a first responder jet ski operator and shark mitigation pioneer, Samba is now partnering with Blue Zone, Hydroflite, and Optus to develop next-generation sonar buoy technology with the potential to reinvent the shark net system along Australia's coastline.
Film & Media
Samba is featured in Matt Formston's award-winning documentary The Blind Sea, now streaming on Netflix, with a follow-up series currently in development. He is also featured in an upcoming book by Matt Formston AM.
What Samba Brings to CWSA
At CWSA, Samba leads drone-based shark surveillance, sonar buoy technology, and on-water event safety operations. His rare combination of elite ocean experience, world-level coaching, WSL safety leadership, and cutting-edge technology partnerships makes him one of the most qualified water safety professionals in Australia.
- Ex-professional surfer (pro at 16)
- ISA World Para Surfing Championship gold (coach)
- WSL World Champion coach (Barney Miller)
- Head of Water Safety, WSL World Tour
- Veteran surf therapy — Soldier On programme
- First responder jet ski operator
- Shark mitigation & sonar buoy technology
- Contest Director, Ride the Wave Pro
- Featured in Netflix documentary The Blind Sea
- Level 2 high-performance surf coach (20+ years)
Ready to Talk Water Safety?
Whether you need event water safety coverage, drone shark surveillance for your beach or council, or want to discuss emergency response capability — we'd love to hear from you.