Honu Honi and One Wave to bring colour to mental health

TORQUAY surf camp and wellness operator Honu Honi is shining a light on mental health this month by teaming up with Australian non-profit surf community OneWave to host a special fluro surf event.

The March 22 event at Torquay Front Beach will celebrate OneWave’s 11th year of raising awareness of mental health with a blend of of saltwater therapy, surfing and fluro.

Since 2013, OneWave has held fluro events at over 200 beaches across more than 50 countries, reducing mental health stigma and helping people “free the funk.”

Honu Honi founder Becky Goschnick said OneWave’s mission was “one close to her heart”.

“For me, it was a really personal choice to partner with OneWave and something we as an organisation have wanted to do for a long time.

“I left an abusive relationship in my early twenties and suffered from serious post traumatic stress order.

“I escaped up the coast to Northern New South Wales and I found surfing and a new community. It totally helped me to build my confidence and was incredibly healing.

“That’s exactly what OneWave is about – bringing colour to mental health and showing the power of ocean therapy.

“We are thrilled to be on board.”

OneWave founder Grant Trebilco said he was very excited to be celebrating 11 years of bringing more colour to mental health.

“We are stoked Becky and the OneWave Torquay crew are helping us celebrate our 11th birthday down there.

“It’s all about creating a world fluro wave on the day and we hope we will have eleven countries in total represented on the day to mirror our 11 years of operations.

“We look forward to seeing you all down there!”

During the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, One Wave will also deliver 12 “Free the Funk” programs at schools throughout the region from March 25-28.

The sessions will provide more than 2,500 students with mental health tips and tools they can use throughout their lives.

The 11th birthday celebration event is free to attend. As much fluro as possible is encouraged.

For more information, head to onewaveisallittakes.com/11thbirthday