Australian WSL surfer Jack Freestone gave a score of Ocean Mind kids a thrill as they surfed with him at Anglesea last week.<\/p>\n
Conditions were clean and the waves were in the one-foot range, and Ocean Mind founder and chief executive officer Rachel Parker said it was an amazing experience for the 20 youngsters.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo see the smiles on their faces is simply magic and having Jack here means a lot to them.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is connecting so well with the group, as he\u2019s been helping them catch wave, after wave, after wave, after wave!<\/p>\n
\u201cI overheard some of the kids giving him a few pointers on how he could win the Rip Curl Pro.\u201d<\/p>\n
Freestone dedicated his morning to make a difference to young people between the ages of 8 and 18 who are experiencing life challenges, such as social isolation, mental health challenges and disabilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cOcean Mind is doing some amazing work,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSurfing has given me so much and impacts me in a positive way every time I get in the ocean, so to share the stoke
\nand time in the water with these amazing kids, was just really cool.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said he was impressed by how fast the kids had honed their water skills and confidence in the waves.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s mind blowing how good they are at surfing, some of the kids were saying to me how they have only surfed a couple of times. It was just a beautiful morning, there were endless amounts of happy vibes and stoke going everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jake Janson first volunteered in 2017 and got involved in four of the six-week programs. He was recently taken on as a full-time program coordinator.<\/p>\n
\u201cSurfing is a pretty incredible thing you\u2019ve got to have patience and you have got to be able to react in an unpredictable situation, as you are relying on nature to bring you a wave,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess in life you can\u2019t predict what is going to come your way and it gives the kids the chance to build resilience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Referrals to Ocean Mind must be completed by a support worker, psychologist, mental health worker, school support or other professional supporting the participant.<\/p>\n