One Wave

By Ben Stephens.

Every Friday, early morning, around the moment that the sun peaks it’s golden orby head above the eastern seaboard, you can spot a group of people down at the southern end of Bondi Beach. Not the ones doing gruelling soft sand sprints, the group of people that are dressed in wickedly fluorescent colours, stoked at being together as the sun rises over the beach. The group are apart of a growing number of participating beaches around Australia and even Internationally, that take part in One Wave, a non-profit community that tackles the stigma surrounding mental health.

Three years ago, Grant Trebilco was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and ended up in hospital after a manic episode. After he left hospital he found that surfing with friends and family helped him smile and know that things will get better. Skip forward to now, Trebilco, a Bondi local, is one of the founders behind Fluro Friday and with the expansion of the One Wave Surfing Experience, getting sufferers that are still tackling their issues, into a 12-week program that has them shredding waves and feeling better. The program is run with the help of the awesome team at Lets Go Surfing Bondi.

Fluro Friday is the open group, born as a talking point about mental health and a way to get people together every Friday. Next time you are down at Bondi on a Friday morning, be sure to drop past the team and join in. Even if you aren’t stoked to get out in the water but want to get involved, there are the One Wave yogis ready to lead you in a sun salutation as the sun breaks through.

Check out the full event list to find you nearest participating beach.

If you need support, remember you are not alone, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36