Onewave Launches Surfboard Partnership for Mental Health Media Man Int

Onewave Launches Surfboard Partnership for Mental Health - March 22nd 2019

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Celebrating six years of salt water therapy, One Wave Is All It Takes, in partnership with experience platform, Awayco, today announces the launch of the Free The Funk board.

Since 2013, One Wave’s weekly Fluoro Fridays have encouraged participants from North Bondi to Norway to use bright colours to start conversations and break down the stigmas surrounding mental health. The impact has been felt around the world, even earning them a personal visit from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in October last year.

Designed specifically with mental health in mind, Free The Funk boards amplify One Wave’s mission, available to ride free of charge via Awayco to anyone that needs to get out in the water for some headspace but may not have their own surfboard.

Grant Trebilco, founder of One Wave says: “The Free the Funk board is going to give more people the chance to ride waves and openly talk about mental health.

"Sometimes one wave really is all it takes. We couldn’t be more stoked about this partnership.”

ONE WAVE FOUNDER, GRANT TREBILCO

These are no ordinary foamies. Free The Funk boards are unique collaborations with Mick Fanning’s MF Softboards and feature bright, conversation-starting artwork from esteemed street artist, Cam Scott.

“From personal experience, I know how getting into the water to have a chat with mates about what’s going on can genuinely change your life,” said 3x world champ Mick Fanning.

"I think the Free The Funk Board is a great idea and I can’t wait to see more of these boards on the beach.”

With the intention of encapsulating the fluorescent outfits that has made the movement a global success, these boards allow One Wave to open up new and vital conversations about mental health, simply by being under someone’s arm.

The pilot programme takes place at Awayco HQ in Bondi, Cronulla Surfing Academy and Maroubra Surf and Skate over the next 8 weeks. Simply sign up at Awayco.com to rent the board for nix and free the funk each Friday through their online platform.

“Awayco is proud to be supporting One Wave to open dialogue about mental health issues”said Gideon Silverman, Founder and CEO of Awayco.

"We hope the Free The Funk board helps lots of people, regular surfers as well as people who haven’t surfed before, experience the health and healing that comes from returning to the Ocean.”

The collaboration coincides with One Wave’s 6th birthday, which will see them spread their trademark Fluoro Wave to over 100 beaches worldwide. To join or help spread the word, see the full event details of the March 22 global event HERE.

All images by Christian Quinlan

About One Wave:
OneWave is a non-profit surf community raising awareness of mental health with a simple recipe of saltwater therapy, surfing and fluoro. We believe that One Wave is all it takes. Since launching in Bondi in 2013, OneWave has held Fluro Friday events at over 150 beaches worldwide, raising awareness around mental health, reducing stigma and helping people free the funk. The movement has expanded beyond the beach, with dozens of school and corporate programs, as well as Waves Of Wellness, which runs one-to-one surfing programs for people experiencing mental health issues.

About Awayco:
Awayco is a membership program that lets you search and reserve a global network of high quality gear (surfboards, skis, snowboards etc.) so you can travel lighter, discover new equipment and try before you buy. Awayco’s mission is to provide discovery, travel and fun experiences on the Ocean, Mountain and Road to consumers around the world. We believe in making a positive contribution to limiting waste, promoting sustainability and protecting the environment by sharing and conserving finite resources. Awayco is experience infrastructure for the planet. Join us at www.awayco.com or @awayco_ on Instagram.

About MF Softboards
MF Softboards was founded in 2016 by 3X World Champion surfer, Mick Fanning, alongside big wave surfer and motivational speaker, Mark Matthews. The company encourages those learning to ride with a variety of EPS boards designed for beginners as well as shaped models for more advanced surfers. All boards have been personally supervised and tested by Fanning. The aim of providing top quality soft boards at competitive prices is to make crowded surf spots safer by encouraging riders of all ages and experience levels to own a foamie.

About Cam Scott:
Cam Scott is an award-winning, integrated street and gallery artist. Born in New York, Scott has been working in Sydney for over a decade and is most well-known for his innovative ‘street- screening’ practice, which combines street art with traditional screen printing to refresh tired urban spaces. Scott has exhibited extensively in Australia and internationally with his socially conscious, unconventional approach having secured numerous local government art commissions, the William Fletcher Tertiary Grant and two Art Scene Awards.

(The Business Of Surf)