Learning to ride life’s waves

After eight surfing lessons, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) veteran Nick Gurowski can’t wait to ride the next wave.  

“I’ve never had a bad day out on the water,” he says. 

“Getting out there, hitting the waves – even if I stack it, which I do plenty of times – I always walk away happy. The whole group walks away with a smile. It’s been really enjoyable, and I want to keep doing it.” 

Nick found his new passion through the Waves of Wellness Surfing Experience (WOWSE) – a free, eight-week, evidence-based program that delivers surfing lessons as mental health therapy. 

For Nick, who was medically discharged after a decade in the RAAF, the program has been a welcome high after some challenging lows. 

“I had difficulty with my transition from Defence. Getting medically discharged was not the way I wanted to go, so I had a lot of misplaced anger. I isolated myself a bit and found it hard to reconnect,” he shares.  

“This is the first time I reconnected with people I didn’t know but who had a similar history to me. It’s really helped build mateship and get me outdoors and seeing people again.” 

Surfing as therapy  

National charity Waves of Wellness (WOW) Foundation runs veteran-specific WOWSE sessions at multiple locations in Queensland and New South Wales, thanks to support from RSL Queensland. 

“Waves of Wellness aims to build mental health literacy skills, and give people the chance to cope with the mental health challenges that we can all experience,” WOW CEO and co-founder Joel Pilgrim explains. 

“Our program has been available to veterans since 2018. It’s been really special to see veterans from all walks of life come and get so much out of the program, whether they’re dealing with a range of mental health challenges or PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] specifically. 

“For veterans who might not respond to mainstream mental health support, this is an opportunity for them to get the support they very much deserve and need, in a non-threatening way. We’re removing the sterile clinical setting; the natural outdoor environment is an amazing place to have these beautiful conversations, connect and provide the therapy that people don’t even realise they’re receiving. 

“The support that we've received from RSL Queensland is huge. It means we can provide these programs in places which really need our support. Funding is always a challenge, and to have the backing of RSL Queensland means the world to us.” 

Co-designed with veterans, each WOWSE session includes a group discussion with mental health therapists on the beach, followed by a surfing lesson and practice in the water.  

For those who take part, the benefits have been profound. 

“Many veterans have said this program has saved their life,” Joel says. “We’ve been able to get to them at just the right time and provide the support and the coping strategies to get them back on track. That’s what makes us so passionate about the work we do.” 

Nick describes his experience with the program as “fantastic”.  

“I’ve always walked away with a smile and my day has gone better because of it. I think with the environment we’re in, the experience of getting out on the sand, going for a surf, talking about a day or a week or the last few years since transition, it’s been mentally and physically really good for me. 

“I felt very supported from the start. The instructors have been fantastic; I’ve learned so much in eight weeks and I want to carry that on.” 

The power of mindfulness and connection 

According to Joel – a former practising mental health occupational therapist and long-time surfer – mindfulness plays a key role in the WOWSE and its success.  

“Being out in nature is really beneficial for our mental health,” he explains.  

“Being able to ground in the present moment and not drift off into the past or the future is really important for people dealing with PTSD, whose fight or flight response can be very quickly activated.  

“Mindfulness and meditation – which are a big part of the program – keep them in the present moment and bring them into that meditative state.” 

Building connection is an equally important – and powerful – part of the program.  

“When veterans join the program, they often think their experiences are in isolation. But when they start talking, it becomes apparent that people have been through very similar experiences,” Joel says.  

“By building a trusting, supportive and laidback environment in natural surroundings, it’s a really beautiful space for people to let their guard down. It’s almost like you see a weight lifted off the veteran’s shoulders when they sit down in the sand and realise they belong here.” 

Nick agrees. 

“It’s been really eye-opening to hear other people’s experiences and transition stories, and it’s helped me on my own journey,” he says. 

“It was initially quite hard to talk openly. But as we started to evolve and go surfing with each other and have the typical banter that comes with being ex-military, the sharing’s opened up as well. It’s evolved over the program, and it’s helped me with my communication, especially at home, and life is just happier because of it.” 

“Give it a go” 

According to Paul Kony – a WOW Sunshine Coast program facilitator, and one of Nick’s instructors – surfing is much more than just a way to have fun, socialise and keep fit. It teaches lessons that anyone can apply to life.  

“Surfing is a great analogy for life, whether it’s going out there one day and having a good surf, or having that resilience to keep going out there, keep paddling and keep going for more waves,” Paul says. 

“We talk about getting stuck in the rip and how we can solve those kinds of problems, and how it’s okay to put your hand up for help.” 

It’s wisdom that Nick will carry forward, among many other benefits. 

“I’ve found a new passion. I’ve got a goal to aim towards and I’ve got a couple of mates that I’ll walk away with. It’s been fantastic,” he says. 

“I’d say to any other veterans that are thinking about joining the program, give it a go. Commit for eight weeks. At worst, you’re going to go out for a swim, catch some nice waves and learn a new skill. You may walk away with a new passion, or you may not, but I guarantee you won’t walk away unhappy.” 

Learn more 

The veterans’ Waves of Wellness Surfing Experience (WOWSE) is open to current and ex-serving Defence personnel of all ages. 

It’s one of many free peer-led programs offered by RSL Queensland and its partners. 

Learn More about Waves of Wellness