Vanessa Richards is an Australian surfer from Sydney's Northern Beaches. She runs Salty Surf School, which holds classes at Mona Vale, Newport and Warriewood. Vanessa is a registered nurse, a qualified SwimAust instructor, an ASI accredited surfing judge and holds the Surf Life Saving Association Bronze Medallion, Senior First Aid and Advanced Resuscitation certificates. She has worked as a surf lifesaver and regularly competes in surfing contests. In 2005, Vanessa was a semi-finalist in the Australian Titles over 28s and 35s divisions. She is also a volunteer for the Disabled Surfers Association.