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Health Professionals

At different stages of a surfer’s journey, many can benefit from the support of a wide team of professionals. Across health, performance, recovery, and medical support, these experts can help surfers stay strong, confident, and resilient. Whether you’re a beginner finding your feet or an advanced surfer chasing peak performance, this support can prevent injuries, build confidence, and enhance enjoyment in the water. Here we’ve highlighted just a few key professionals — but surfers may draw on many others throughout their journey.

Allied Health

Allied Health covers all professional health, therapy, and wellness services offered alongside surfing and ocean activities. These are practitioner-led services that support participants’ physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

Unlike Sessions or Programs & Courses, Allied Health offerings are not surf lessons — instead, they complement the surf experience with targeted care and therapy.

Examples include:

  • Physiotherapy – Injury prevention, rehabilitation, and surf-specific recovery.
  • Exercise Physiology – Functional training and performance support.
  • Occupational Therapy – Adaptive pathways for participation.
  • Psychology & Counselling – Mental health, resilience, and wellbeing.
  • Diet & Nutrition – Surf-focused dietary guidance.
  • Massage Therapy & Bodywork – Sports massage, recovery, relaxation.
  • Breathwork & Stress Management – Techniques for lung health and calm under pressure.

Key Characteristics:

  • Practitioner-led — delivered by qualified health professionals.
  • Service-based — not instructional surf sessions.
  • Booking model — may be individual consults, block sessions, or NDIS-supported.
  • Purpose — health, recovery, and performance support, either standalone or integrated with surf programs.

Choosing the Right Health Provider

For Customers / Surfers

When booking an Allied Health service, it’s important to check qualifications and professional background to ensure safe, high-quality care.

Look for:

  • Proof of registration with a recognised health board (e.g., AHPRA).
  • Certifications relevant to the treatment being offered.
  • Evidence of ongoing professional development (optional but recommended).

These checks give you confidence that the support you’re accessing is delivered by qualified and experienced professionals.

For Service Providers

To build trust and credibility with surfers, make sure your profile clearly shows your professional standards.

Include:

  • Your registration details with a recognised health board (where applicable).
  • Relevant certifications and qualifications for your treatment modality.
  • Professional development or specialist training that highlights your expertise.

This helps customers choose your services with confidence and sets you apart as a trusted Allied Health provider.

Mental Health & Performance

Sports Psychologists

Work with surfers to strengthen focus, manage competition stress, and build confidence —important for handling pressure in both big waves and contests.

Occupational Therapists (adaptive surfing / surf therapy)

Assist surfers with disabilities or injuries by adapting boards, techniques, or routines so they can participate safely and effectively in the water.

Mental Health Professionals (psychologists, counsellors, surf therapists)

Support surfers’ mental wellbeing by addressing anxiety, depression, or life challenges, while also helping harness surfing as a therapeutic activity.

Surf Coaches

Offer in-water guidance to develop surfing technique, ocean awareness, and competition strategy. Beyond physical skills, surf coaches help build confidence, resilience, and decision-making under pressure.

Health & Fitness Professionals

Strength & Conditioning Coaches

Design land-based training programs to build paddling strength, balance, mobility, and injury prevention — helping surfers perform better and stay in the water longer.

Personal Trainers

Provide customized fitness programs to complement surfing, focusing on strength, endurance, weight management, or overall conditioning.

Yoga & Pilates Instructors

Improve flexibility, breath awareness, balance, and core stability — all essential for surfing performance and resilience.

Functional Movement Specialists

Focus on mobility, balance, and movement efficiency through surf-specific exercises that enhance coordination and reduce the risk of injury.

Injury & Physical Health

Sports & Exercise Physicians

Doctors who specialize in diagnosing and managing sports-related injuries, overuse problems, and performance issues, helping surfers recover quickly and safely.

Osteopaths

Use hands-on techniques to treat musculoskeletal pain and improve movement, particularly useful for surfers dealing with stiffness, strains, or chronic aches.

Physiotherapists (surf-specific expertise)

Help surfers rehabilitate injuries, restore mobility, and prevent recurring issues through targeted exercises and surf-specific movement training.

Chiropractors

Focus on spinal health and alignment, which can help surfers with back pain, posture, and overall mobility in paddling and riding waves.

Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Specialists

Treat conditions like “surfer’s ear” chronic ear infections, and sinus issues that can affect comfort and hearing.

Dermatologists

Specialize in preventing and treating sun damage, rashes, and skin cancers.

Wellness & Prevention

Massage Therapists

Aid recovery by relieving muscle tension, improving circulation, and addressing surf-related strains in the shoulders, back, and legs.

Dietitians / Sports Nutritionists

Help surfers fuel properly before and after sessions, improve endurance, support recovery, and maintain hydration — all key for performance in the water.

Mindfulness & Stress Management Coaches

Teach surfers tools for managing stress, improving focus, and maintaining calm in high-pressure surf situations and everyday life.

Wellness Coaches

Provide holistic guidance on lifestyle balance, sleep, recovery routines, and overall wellbeing to keep surfers healthy in and out of the water.

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Getting Started Guide. Drop In Today

This platform is designed for both service providers and surfers. Providers can share their expertise, while surfers can easily find and book the support they need.

For Customers / Surfers

  1. Search Listings
    Browse available health, fitness, and wellness professionals who match your needs.

  2. Filter & Compare
    Narrow results by service type, expertise, or location to find the right fit for your surfing journey.

  3. Book Sessions
    Reserve appointments directly through the platform and plan around your schedule.

  4. Connect & Grow
    Work with providers to build confidence, prevent injuries, and improve performance — from beginner to elite level.

Search listings

For Service Providers

  1. Create an Account
    Sign up on the platform to get started as a provider.

  2. List Your Service
    Add your sessions, classes, or offerings — include details like description, price, and duration.

  3. Set Availability & Manage Bookings Use the Sharetribe calendar to show when you’re available so surfers can book directly, message surfers, and keep track of your schedule.

  4. Get Paid direct
    Securely receive payments through the platform once your sessions are completed.

List Your Service

Important Information

All services listed under Health Professionals on this platform are offered independently by providers. Service providers are responsible for their own waivers, insurance, and pre-screening processes, and surfers should ensure they complete any required forms or safety checks before attending a session. This platform helps connect surfers and providers but does not manage or supply medical, legal, or safety documentation.

Terms & Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need to be an experienced surfer to book a provider?
No — many services are designed to support surfers at all levels, from beginners through to advanced and competitive surfers.

Are these services surf lessons?
Not necessarily. Some providers (like surf coaches) focus on skills in the water, but most Allied Health and wellness services are about supporting your health, recovery, and performance — not teaching you how to surf.

How do I know if a provider is qualified?
We encourage surfers to check each provider’s profile for details such as registration with recognised health boards (e.g., AHPRA), relevant certifications, and professional experience.

Are these services covered by health insurance or NDIS?
Some may be eligible, depending on the provider and your personal circumstances. Always check directly with the provider for details on coverage and eligibility.

How do I make a booking?
Simply search the listings, choose a provider, and follow the booking process. You can message providers through the platform if you have specific questions before booking.

Who is responsible for waivers and safety forms?
All providers are responsible for their own waivers, pre-screening, and insurance. Surfers should make sure they complete any required forms before attending a session.

More FAQ

Resources & Articles

Explore Australian research that connects surfing, health, and wellbeing. These external articles provide evidence-based insights that back up the services listed on this page.

These resources are provided for educational purposes and are not a substitute for professional medical advice.