WHAT IS FLURO FRIDAY?
OneWave runs weekly Fluro Friday sessions where we dress up in bright fluro outfits and share waves and stories to raise awareness of mental health.
Sometimes one wave is all it takes to free the funk and wearing bright colours makes people happy and helps start conversations about mental health, which is often invisible.
At Fluro Friday’s we focus on early prevention because we know community, connection and conversations save lives. When people have a trusted community to surf and share stories with they are much more likely to take positive action for their mental health.
WHAT HAPPENS AT FLURO FRIDAY?
Fluro Friday's consist of surfing/saltwater therapy and an “anti-bad vibes circle” allowing people to have conversations about mental health in a safer non judgemental space.
The anti- bad vibe circle discussion is facilitated by volunteer OneWave Tribe Leaders. If people require professional support we help connect them with professional mental health services.
Fluro Friday’s are a free community event and you don’t have to be a surfer to be involved.
HOW TO START A FLURO FRIDAY AT YOUR LOCAL BEACH?
If you are keen to start a Fluro Friday to bring colour to mental health in your community we would love to chat.
It is as easy as grabbing a few mates, dressing in fluro and going surfing and sharing stories to help people free the funk. It can be a weekly/monthly event or even once a year. If running the event on the weekend or another day works better we can change the name from Fluro Friday to a Free the Funk event.
Check out the Start a Fluro Friday pack and if you want to find out more contact grant@onewaveisallittakes.com and we will jump on the phone and chat about making it happen :)
BEACHES CURRENTLY RUNNING FLURO FRIDAY'S
Check out the list of beaches running Fluro Friday’s below to find your closest fluro beach and look out for updates on OneWave social media @onewaveisallittakes.
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA - NSW
Bondi - South Bondi Beach: When? Every Friday 6.30am. Meeting Point - Meet on the beach in front of Bondi Pavilion (next to lifeguard tower). Contact - Ask for Sam Schumacher
Freshwater Beach: When? Event dates to be announced on OneWave social media @onewaveisallittakes. Contact - Andrea.
Gerroa - Seven Mile Beach: When? Second Friday 6.30am and fourth Saturday 6.30am of each month. Meeting Point - Gerroa track 3. Contact - Tash. Social media: @flurofriday_southcoast.
Newcastle - Merewether Beach: When? Check @flurofriday_newcastle Instagram for event details. Meeting Point - Meet at Merewether Baths. Contact - Ask for Kelly. Social Media - Instagram @flurofriday_newcastle.
Woolgoolga - Woopi Beach: When? Every Friday 6.30am. Meeting Point - Woopi main beach - on the sand. Contact - Ask for Lisa Nicholls. Social Media - www.facebook.com/flurofridaywoopi & Instagram @fluro_friday_woopi
AUSTRALIA - QLD
Greenmount Beach: When? Every Saturday 5.30am (QLD time). Meeting Point - On the beach at Greenmount point. Contact - Cherisa Pearce (CJ). Social Media - www.facebook.com/flurofridaygreenmount & Instagram @fluro_saturday_greenmount
AUSTRALIA - TASMANIA
Park Beach: Tassie Girls Surf x OneWave Fluro Friday - When? Check @tassiegirlssurf for event details. Contact - Mia Griffiths @tassiegirlssurf, 0457059140
AUSTRALIA - WA
Margaret River, WA: When? Check @flurofriday_gracetown Instagram for event details.. Meeting Point - beach details to be announced on social media. Contact - Niamh Wallace. Social Media - @flurofriday_margs
INDIA
Udupi - @theshakasurfclub - When? Events to be announced on social media @theshakasurfclub
NEW ZEALAND
Dunedin - St Clair Beach: When? Next event to be announced on social media @onewaveisallittakes. Contact - ask for Lulu.
UK
Cornwall - Polzeath Beach: When? Events to be announced on social media @onewavepolzeath_uk. Meeting Point - At George’s Surf School/The Tubestation. Contact - Ask for George Stoy. Social Media - Instagram @onewavepolzeath_uk
Devon - Sidmouth Beach: When? Events to be announced on social media @onewave_sidmouth. Meeting Point - Sidmouth Beach. Contact - Ask for Evie. Social Media - www.facebook.com/onewave-sidmouth & Instagram @onewave_sidmouth
West Sussex - Bracklesham Bay: When? Events to be announced on social media @onewavebrackleshambay. Meeting Point - In front of Billy’s. Contact - Ask for Kirstie Martin. Social Media - Instagram @onewavebrackleshambay
SINGAPORE
Tanjong Beach - When? Events to be announced on social media @onewave_singapore. Contact - Kate.
IMPACT OF FLURO FRIDAY’S
People confronted by mental challenges have identified discrimination and stigma as the biggest barriers to seeking professional help.
Fluro Fridays seek to change this culture and support people in having healthy conversations about mental health through leveraging a unique recipe of (1) saltwater therapy and surfing, and (2) fluro:
Saltwater Therapy and Surfing: Studies show a clear and scientific link between surfing and happiness. The sea spray and negative ions released from the water as a result of waves create a biochemical reaction that increases serotonin (the happiness chemical) and oxygen flow in the bodies of surfers; resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness, and increased mental energy.
Fluro: Wearing bright colours has also been proven to increase people’s happiness. OneWave also leverages the high visibility of fluro to help people start conversations about what is usually an invisible issue.
The results from OneWave Community global research shows the positive impact Fluro Friday's have had on participants mental health:
“Onewave has most definitely saved my life. It has transformed it in the most positive way possible.”
“It's a safe place I can go to when I feel blue or upset. I know I can comfortably express when I am struggling. When I am feeling great I can be there to love and support others.”
"I absolutely love going in the sea, it always puts a smile on my face. Fluro Fridays help me to realise that I'm not alone even though I may feel that I am."
“Fluro Friday has influenced me so strongly to open up about my own struggles. It has positively affected me with incredible friendships of people I never would have met otherwise from all walks of life.”
“I believe mental health can be extremely helped if not cured by good people and good vibes. I feel strongly about this subject knowing people who have commited suicide, seen someone try and know people that struggle with depression. I want to support the community and help free the funk. Plus I have my tough days and OneWave is a great way to free the funk.”