Ocean Mind - Therapeutic Surfing

What Ocean Mind - Therapeutic Surfing does

Ocean Mind is a Victorian-based therapeutic surfing charity (Ocean Mind Inc) founded in 2016 and headquartered in Torquay, Australia. It delivers evidence-based surf therapy programs for young people aged 8-18 experiencing mental health challenges, social isolation, and disabilities, combining ocean-based activity with the Blue Mind Theory framework. Core products include the free six-week Swell introductory program, an ongoing Surf Club for graduates, NDIS-funded 1:1 and small group programs (4 participants with 2 facilitators), tailored school programs for groups of 10-15, and a merchandise line including artist collaborations such as the Kat Tillman 'This Must Be The Place' collection. The organization maintains a 1:1 staff/volunteer-to-participant support ratio and operates from four beach locations: Torquay, Anglesea, Ocean Grove, and the Mornington Peninsula (Point Leo and Shoreham).

The business model is a hybrid non-profit structure funded primarily through community donations (including a $10/month supporter tier), corporate sponsorships and foundation grants (GeelongPort, Findex, Anthony Costa Foundation, Bupa Foundation, Newsboys Foundation), NDIS reimbursements for disability-funded programs, and merchandise sales. Programs are delivered free to participants in the community track, while NDIS and school channels are paid. Go-to-market relies on referral networks of support workers, psychologists, mental health workers, and school support staff, alongside content marketing, social media, PR coverage, and earned media. Strategic research collaboration with Deakin University has produced peer-reviewed publications in Psychology for Sport and Exercise and was recognized with the Deakin Faculty of Health 2023 Partnerships in Practice award; the team presented internationally at the European Health Psychology Society Conference in September 2024. Operational scale is 16 paid staff supported by a network of 160+ volunteers aged 16-65.

Name

Ocean Mind - Therapeutic Surfing

Legal name

Ocean Mind Inc

Website

https://oceanmind.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ocean Mind is a Victorian therapeutic surfing charity delivering evidence-based surf therapy programs for young people aged 8-18 with mental health challenges, social isolation, and disabilities. It operates free community programs, NDIS-funded services, and school programs across four Victorian beach locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Therapeutic Surfing Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Child and Youth Services (624110), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps) (THAJAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aquatic Physical Therapy & Hydrotherapy (HSADAIAL), Surf Schools & Surf Camps (THAAAKAC)

Keywords

• Therapeutic surfing
• Surf therapy
• Youth mental health
• NDIS services
• Community wellbeing programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Torquay

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The charity relies heavily on community donations and fundraising to maintain free programs. Monthly supporters contribute $10 per month, with 200 monthly donors enabling one full Six Week Swell program annually.
2. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling branded merchandise including apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, caps), accessories (tote bags), and artwork. Products are made on demand to reduce overproduction.
3. NDIS Services: NDIS-funded surf therapy programs for participants with disabilities, accessible through self-managed or plan-managed NDIS packages with Core Support or Capacity Building funds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ocean Mind delivers free therapeutic surfing programs for young people aged 8-18 facing mental health challenges, social isolation, and disabilities at Victorian beaches, complemented by NDIS-funded 1:1 and small group surf therapy, school-based programs, and branded merchandise sold online. All programs use a 1:1 facilitator-to-participant support model grounded in Blue Mind Theory and validated through a Deakin University randomized controlled trial.

Product overview

Ocean Mind is a charitable surf therapy organization offering a portfolio of therapeutic surfing programs. The core offerings include the free Six Week Swell Program (introductory therapeutic surfing for ages 8-18), the Surf Club (ongoing sessions for graduates), and specialized NDIS-funded programs (1:1 and small group). School programs provide tailored sessions for educational institutions. The organization also sells branded merchandise (clothing, accessories) as a fundraising mechanism to support its charitable programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Six Week Swell Program Free 6-week introductory therapeutic surfing experience for young people aged 8-18 maintaining a 1:1 support ratio to help participants progress at their own pace in building self-efficacy and resilience.
• Surf Club Weekly surf sessions for Six Week Swell program graduates allowing participants to continue learning to surf and connecting with mentors and peers.
• NDIS 1:1 Supported Program Individual support program for young people developing personal and social skills to help them engage in community and social activities through surfing, funded via self-managed or plan-managed NDIS packages using Core Support or Capacity Building funds.
• NDIS Small Group Program Small group program of 4 participants with 2 facilitators providing opportunities for social engagement and skill development in communication, emotional regulation, and physical wellbeing, funded via NDIS packages.
• School Programs Tailored surf therapy programs for schools, designed collaboratively with educators to target areas such as mindfulness, communication, trust, and relationship building, delivered for groups of 10-15 students with Ocean Mind providing facilitators and program materials.
• Ocean Mind Merchandise Online store selling branded apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, caps), accessories (tote bags), and artwork created in collaboration with artist Kat Tillman, with proceeds supporting free surf therapy programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Research published in Psychology for Sport and Exercise journal showing program is acceptable and feasible for addressing mental ill-health symptoms in children and adolescents
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Deakin UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with Deakin University conducting surf therapy research including pilot study (2019) and full randomized controlled trial on mental health outcomes. Published in peer-reviewed journals. Received Deakin Faculty of Health 2023 Partnerships in Practice award.
• Surfing AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOcean Mind is a surf school accredited with Surfing Australia. Staff maintain Surfing Australia qualifications and annual requirements including first aid, CPR, and ocean safety.
• International Surf Therapy Organisation (ISTO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOcean Mind is accredited with the International Surf Therapy Organisation, demonstrating adherence to international standards for surf therapy programs.
• Rip CurlminorOthersCharity supporter providing product donations and brand support for Ocean Mind's surf therapy programs.
• QuiksilverminorOthersCharity supporter providing product donations and brand support for Ocean Mind's surf therapy programs.
• Kat TillmanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMelbourne-based artist collaborating with Ocean Mind to create exclusive merchandise designs including 'This Must Be The Place' and 'Australian Dream' artwork collections.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• ReachOut Australia: Australia's leading online youth mental health service. Adjacent thematically to Ocean Mind's youth mental health mission, often referenced in the same referral and awareness ecosystem.
• International Surf Therapy Organisation (ISTO): Umbrella accreditation and standards body for surf therapy organizations globally, of which Ocean Mind is a member. Adjacent enabling organization that defines and disseminates the practices Ocean Mind follows.
• Surfing Australia: National federation accrediting Ocean Mind as a surf school and providing instructor qualifications. Adjacent industry body that supports Ocean Mind's qualification, safety, and training standards.

Direct peers

• Surfers Healing: US charity running surf camps for children with autism and related disabilities. Highly comparable therapeutic-surfing mission, volunteer-driven delivery, and beach-based program structure closely aligned with Ocean Mind's NDIS disability offerings.
• Brave Venture Surf Therapy: California-based therapeutic surf program working with at-risk youth, military veterans, and trauma survivors. Comparable in surf-as-therapy framing, target audience, and nonprofit delivery model.
• The Wave Project: UK-based charitable surf therapy organization delivering evidence-informed surf programs for young people facing mental health challenges, social isolation, or other vulnerabilities. Closest direct comparable in mission, target population, and program design to Ocean Mind.
• Jimmy Miller Foundation: US-based therapeutic ocean program providing surf and ocean therapy for individuals with PTSD, disabilities, or life challenges. Closely aligned with Ocean Mind's therapeutic-surfing model, target population, and evidence-building approach.

Broad incumbents

• Black Dog Institute: Australian medical research institute focused on mental health, including youth-focused research programs. Relevant research-partner precedent for the kind of academic collaboration Ocean Mind has built with Deakin University.
• Headspace (Australia): Australia's national youth mental health foundation operating clinical centers and digital services. A broader incumbent in the youth mental health space where Ocean Mind's surf therapy can serve as a complementary referral channel.

Emerging players

• Driftwood Surf Therapy: Emerging surf therapy organization offering surf sessions for individuals with mental health and developmental challenges. Comparable niche therapeutic-surfing mission, smaller-scale community delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ocean-mind-therapeutic-surfing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ocean Mind - Therapeutic Surfing