STOKED is a gnarly surf therapy program for young people aged 14 to 25.
Our program aims to teach surfing as a coping strategy for mental health, connect young people to community, deliver education on mental health and wellbeing and provide exposure to the healing powers of the ocean.
We’re now looking ahead to our 2023 program dates! They will kick off in February 13 and run weekly (barring a break for Labour Day) until March 27. Keep your eyes peeled!
The education sessions are provided by qualified practitioners from a range of Brophy programs including headspace, DARE, Healthy Relationships as well as community leaders in the health and wellbeing field, whilst the surfing lessons are provided by our local surf school partners.
The program would not be possible without our volunteer mentors from the local surfing community that supports our participants on a 1:1 basis.
Upcoming programs and events
CAMPS
STOKED FOR THE PLANET WINTER CAMP
Dates: June 24-27, 2023
Summary: Riding the waves of life can be stressful. This camp is for anyone aged 14 to 25 who would like to surf, volunteer for the planet and connect with an awesome crew of people.
Apply for a spot at the Stoked For the Planet Camp here
SIX WEEK PROGRAMS
Each session starts with a pre-surf yarn about mental health and wellbeing related themes.
We currently run programs in both Warrnambool and Palnth (Cape Bridgewater), which is an Indigenous program.
Email STOKED@brophy.org.au to express your interest for future programs.
Registration and FAQs
PARTICIPANTS
We bring young people and community volunteers together to YARN – SURF – EAT.
Each session starts with a pre-surf yarn about mental health and wellbeing related themes. This is followed by an all abilities surf session where our young people get to experience the therapeutic benefits of the ocean through surfing.
After this, the group come together to connect over some hot dinner.
VOLUNTEER MENTORS
Stoked Surf Therapy (a program of Brophy Family and Youth Services aims to teach young people to surf as a tool for good mental health.
It introduces them to the therapeutic power of the ocean. We also provide opportunities for learning about well-being through our pre-surf yarns.
The role of a mentor is to connect our young people to positive role models in our community with the intent of strengthening social inclusion.
Mentor roles include the following:
- chatting and getting to know young people in our community
- engaging, supporting, and encouraging the participants
- buddying 1-1 those who are feeling a bit anxious or need support
- grabbing a board and taking part in the lesson, surfing alongside
- taking part in our pre surf yarns, joining in conversations and being a positive role model
- being an extra pair of eyes, ears and helping hands in the water
- assisting with any jobs, serving food, help tidy up and other related tasks
For more information please contact Chrissie Duncan on 5561 8888.
IN THE MEDIA
Stoked Surf Therapy is a mental health program, but it doesn’t look like a traditional therapy session with two people talking about hard things in a room.
Instead, the Stoked program pairs mentors with young people, sends them out for a beginner surf session, then offers a good warm feed of homemade food.
How and why this style of therapy works is explained in this interview with Ms Stenhouse and Stoked Coordinator at Brophy Family & Youth Services, Chrissie Duncan.
Hannah Cady is one of STOKED Surf Therapy’s amazing volunteers. Find out why she loves being part of this incredible Brophy program!