The stoke of surf therapyThe stoke of surf therapy
All In The Mind
You might have seen Australian surfers decked out in fluro gear raising awareness for mental health. The OneWave community is all about increasing the visibility of mental illness — and it's part of a growing international community exploring the therapeutic benefits of surfing. What is it about being in the ocean that can benefit your mental health? All In The Mind heads to Bondi Beach.
29:52•25 Nov 2018
The Stoke of Surf Therapy: How the Ocean Supports Mental Health
Episode Overview
- Surfing and time in the ocean can offer grounding, present‑moment focus and relief from anxiety, depression and PTSD symptoms.
- Community surf groups like OneWave make it easier to talk openly about mental health in a fun, non‑clinical environment.
- Structured surf therapy programmes use one‑to‑one support and CBT‑based skills to help participants build confidence and resilience.
- Emerging research from international surf therapy organisations suggests improved self‑concept, social support and enjoyment for participants.
- Surf therapy can act as a complementary option to traditional treatments, especially for those wary of hospital or clinic settings.
“"In surfing, you can't look down or your balance is going to go down... if you look up and you look forward away from the trauma, it's going to lead you into life again."”
How can compelling narratives motivate and inspire others? This episode of All In The Mind heads to Bondi Beach and beyond to look at how surf therapy is giving people a fresh way to approach mental health. You’ll hear about OneWave’s famed "Fluoro Friday" sessions, where founder Grant Trebilco and co-founder Sam Schumacher bring together surfers in bright colours for "saltwater therapy" and an "anti-bad vibe circle".
Grant explains how, after his bipolar diagnosis, "being out in the ocean is the thing that got me smiling again" and helped him "get my froth back". Others in the OneWave crew describe the beach as a place of belonging, where talking openly about depression and anxiety feels less scary. The story widens to the International Surf Therapy Organisation, with CEO Chris Pramacio sharing early research showing participants report more fun, social support and a stronger sense of self.
Clinical occupational therapist Dr Carly Rogers outlines how one‑to‑one surf support can be life-changing for veterans with PTSD, saying surfing is "almost kind of an undoing" of their symptoms and helps them look forward instead of reliving trauma. United States Marine veteran Andy Manzi talks about surfing as the moment his life "changed for the good", describing how it restored hope, calmed anxiety and even improved sleep, leading him to start the Warrior Surf Foundation.
Back in Australia, occupational therapist Joel Pilgrim’s Waves of Wellness program offers "health by stealth", where learn‑to‑surf sessions quietly build CBT skills and a sense of community for people who might avoid traditional services. World champion surfer Lane Beachley adds her perspective on the ocean as a place of cleansing, comfort and freedom from judgement, while 82‑year‑old OneWave regular Cedric Amoyles shares how the younger surfers give him faith in a future where people care about mental health.
If you’ve ever wondered whether getting in the water could support your recovery or complement therapy, this episode might leave you asking: could the next wave be part of your healing journey?
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