About the SMILE LIKE DRAKE Foundation

About
the SMILE LIKE DRAKE Foundation

A Movement Sparked by One. Sustained by Many.

Who We Are

SMILE LIKE DRAKE started in response to an unimaginable tragedy – the loss of Chris Drake, a young man who lived with passion, purpose, and love for the water.

His story inspired a movement that seeks to honour his spirit by preventing similar losses across Australia and the world.

We are a registered, non-profit charity dedicated to revolutionising water safety through modern solutions, heartfelt advocacy, and community-led action.

Why It’s Called

SMILE LIKE DRAKE

When Chris went missing at sea, his friends and the wider community rallied in hope and heartbreak. The community knew Chris for the positive affirmations he shared on his Facebook page – uplifting words that captured his kind, joyful spirit. As days passed, those affirmations began appearing on surfboards, shared in tribute and solidarity.

Among those words, one simple phrase stood out: “SMILE LIKE DRAKE.”
It echoed across beaches, in homes, on social media—and it stuck.

“SMILE LIKE DRAKE” became more than a message. It became a movement. A reminder to live with heart. To stay positive. To carry Chris’s smile forward even in sorrow.

We didn’t choose the name – it chose us. Created and embraced by those who loved him, it now stands as a symbol of light, legacy, and the community that continues to honour him.

Our Mission

Water is life. But it also holds risks that are too often underestimated. At SMILE LIKE DRAKE, our mission is to reduce preventable drownings and water-related injuries by:

Developing and promoting practical water safety protocols and technologies
Funding and delivering educational programs to all age groups
Campaigning for critical safety policies and lifesaving reforms
Supporting and commissioning water safety research and innovation

While traditional safety tools like life jackets and floatation devices still play an important role, they are not present in most drowning situations. Education and policy help – but they have their limits. That’s why we go beyond awareness to create real-world solutions.

Our Vision

To create a world where no life is lost to water. Where families swim without fear, children grow up safe around beaches and pools, and lifesaving technology is accessible to all.

We envision a future where water safety is part of community culture, supported by smart solutions, inclusive education, and shared responsibility.

Our work is inspired by Chris Drake’s legacy: someone who knew the joy and unpredictability of the water, and who faced it with love, courage, and integrity.

“We honour this spirit through our passionate pursuit of a new age in water safety.”

Our Team

Behind SMILE LIKE DRAKE is a team of professionals, advocates, and volunteers united by purpose.

We come from diverse fields – engineering, public health, education, innovation, technology, and community services – but we come together for one goal: creating a safer relationship between people and water.

Nicolle Drake

CEO and Director

TRevor Drake

Member

Elizabeth James

Director

MOHSEN ASADNIA

Advisory Board

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SIMON PEARCE

Director

Your Support Makes This Possible

Preventing drowning takes a movement, not just a mission.

Whether you want to give, volunteer, partner, or advocate…
There is strength in numbers. Together, we can make waves that save lives.

SMILE LIKE DRAKE is a fully registered charity in Australia. Every donation you make is tax-deductible and directly supports our mission to protect lives.

100% of every donation goes directly to the on-going development and commercialisation of APPTRAKK

Explore ways to support

A.B.N.: 33 164 893 261 | A.C.N.: 164 893 261 | T.F.N.: 950 657 660 | ACNC: 33164893261

Phone:	+61 419 333 312
Email:	[email protected]
Address:	Wentworth Street, Manly SMILE LIKE DRAKE FOUNDATION Ltd

SMILE LIKE DRAKE Foundation Limited Registered ACNC – Not For Profit Charity #331648933261 CFN: 23007

“A charity is a not-for-profit organisation that raises money to achieve its own goals and core values. A charity contributes to the community by actively participating in and providing services that will make change happen.”

“A foundation is a non-profit organisation that raises money to provide valuable support to charities and programs that allow them to establish services within the community and make a difference.”

SMILE LIKE DRAKE Foundation acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first inhabitants of the Eora nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. We pay our respects to elders past, present, and future.