OCEAN Mind, a therapeutic surfing charity that aims to improve young people’s mental health and relationships through surfing, is heading into its third season on the peninsula.
Ocean Mind offers free six-week programs for young people experiencing mental health challenges, which run from September to May/June.
Participants are paired with a volunteer mentor who teaches them to surf while also providing support and a listening ear.
After completing the program, participants are offered a spot in a surf club, helping provide ongoing support and community connection.
Rachael Parker founded Ocean Mind on the Surf Coast ten years ago before expanding to the peninsula two years ago.
“My vision was for a little side project where I got to put a bit of passion into the work that I did,” said Parker.
At the time, she worked in youth support and was looking for a work-life balance.
“I was working with young people in the homelessness sector, and it was always very doom and gloomy, and I wanted to put some sunshine back into the work that I did,” said Parker.
Ocean Mind now supports over 200 young people a year and has 160 volunteers.
“Over the six weeks, our young people are learning not just to surf, but they’re learning communication skills, they’re forming relationships with their mentors, and they’re forming relationships with each other and really building this sense of community,” said Parker.
Parker said the program provides both physical and mental health benefits.
“Just being physical, being outdoors, being away from home, moving your body, that’s all really proven to support our mental health and well-being,” said Parker.
“And we know that being in blue spaces supports our mental well-being, and being down at the beach, getting the vitamin D from the sun, being near the ocean, listening to the waves, being a bit more mindful and present in your environment.”
Parker said surfing is exhilarating and requires complete concentration, helping participants practice mindfulness.
“One of the big things that we see is young people have an opportunity to just really shut off that brain for however long we’re in the water for, and that could be the first time and the only time that’s happened for them for that week,” said Parker.
“It’s pretty freeing when you experience that after a very chaotic time in your mind.”
Yasmin Swann, the program coordinator for the peninsula, said she became involved after hearing Parker speak at Pitch Up Geelong.
“I’ve had mental health struggles, and surfing is one of the biggest outlets for me,” said Swann.
“It really just like clicked for me that, of course, I use surfing as an outlet for feeling better and supporting myself with my mental health struggles and then, in turn, to do that for young people who are experiencing the same thing, I was very excited about it, and it felt quite natural too.”
With the peninsula program entering its third year, Swann said the community response has been amazing.
“We’ve had such an amazing community that comes back each season because they just can’t get enough,” said Swann.
The program is continuing to grow, and Ocean Mind are looking to connect with more local volunteers and support services.
Parker said keeping the programs free is a priority as mental health support shouldn’t be dependent on affordability.
“We’re always looking for new funders that are interested in what we do and want to support the organisation,” said Parker.
Ocean Mind’s next six-week programs will start in October.
Young people aged eight to 18 can be referred by schools, health professionals, support services, or parents.
You can find out more information or sign up to volunteer at: oceanmind.org.au.
First published in the Mornington News – 8 September 2026
