Frequently asked questions

Volunteers FAQs

  • No. You do need to be comfortable in the surf and be a good swimmer, but we teach you all you need to know to help out a young person in the water.

  • No. You don't need any formal qualifications to mentor. You will need a current Working With Children's Check and a Police Check. You will need to complete the Ocean Mind mentor training before mentoring.

  • Ocean Mind is always looking for amazing humans that would like to help out. There are several different ways to help.

    • Driver/Transport

    • Fundraising

    • Join a Subcommittee

    • Join the Board

  • However long you want to commit. If you’re mentoring on a 6-week program, we ask you to commit to the full 6 weeks. If you’re a surf club mentor, it’s up to you which sessions you attend.

  • Programs are run on Saturdays and Sundays. School holiday programs run during both weeks over the school holidays. All subcommittee meetings are usually during the week after hours or on weekends.

  • Yes, if you want to come help out, we’d love to have you. You can jump on as a surf club mentor and attend on the days you’re available.

Parents FAQs

  • The 6-week program is free for participants. The Surf Clubs are free.

  • Ocean Mind programs run on Saturdays and Sundays both in the AM and the PM. The 6-week Swell program runs consecutively for 6 weeks. Surf Club sessions are weekly.

  • Greater Geelong Region:

    • Ocean Grove Main Beach

    • Anglesea Main Beach

    Mornington Peninsula

    • Point Leo

    • Shoreham

    Warrnambool

    • Surfside Beach

  • We attempt to support all our participants with transport if they require. Please contact the program coordinator if you require transport.

  • We train local volunteers to mentor our participants. Mentors are all vetted and have a Working with Children Check and Police Check. Each program also has a paid Facilitator and Surf Instructor.

Referrers FAQs

  • Referrals are made through a support worker, psychologist, mental health worker, school support worker or someone else supporting the client. Just complete the referral form.

  • There is no cost to participant’s families to join in the program.

  • Ocean Mind programs run from September to June each year. Your client will be offered a placement within 2 months of referral unless the referral is made over the winter period.

  • Saturdays AM & PM

    Sundays AM & PM

    School Holiday programs are run Monday, Wednesday & Friday each week.

For any other questions, please contact us