JACK FREESTONE DROPS IN ON OCEAN MIND SESSION

Australian WSL surfer Jack Freestone gave a score of Ocean Mind kids a thrill as they surfed with him at Anglesea last week.

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.

“To see the smiles on their faces is simply magic and having Jack here means alot to them.

“He is connecting so well with the group, as he’s been helping them catch wave, after wave, after wave, after wave!

“I overheard some of the kids giving him a few pointers on how he could win the Rip Curl Pro.”

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.

“Ocean Mind are doing some amazing work,” he said.

“Surfing has given me so much and impacts me in a positive way every time I get in the ocean, so to share the stoke
and time in the water with these amazing kids, was just really cool.”

He said he was impressed by how fast the kids had honed their water skills and confidence in the waves.

“It’s 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 was endless amounts of happy vibes and stoke going everywhere.”

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 co-ordinator.

“Surfing is a pretty incredible thing you’ve 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,” he said.

“I guess in life you can’t predict what is going to come your way and it gives the kids the chance to build resilience.”

Referrals to Ocean Mind must be completed by a support worker, psychologist, mental health worker, school support or other professional supporting the participant.

For more information, head to oceanmind.org.au.