Meet Austin Ware: The Ex-Pro On The WOW Team
The holy trinity was gifted to Waves of Wellness when Austin Ware joined the team as a Sydney facilitator. An ex-pro, a seasoned surf instructor and a mental health facilitator with a degree in psychology, Austin is the full package wrapped up in a fluro rashie.
Austin hails from California and competed solidly for 12 years, earning a crust from surfing and landing in the top 20 of the WQS for three years. He also helped lead the USA to gold medal glory in the 2009 ISA World Surfing Games in Costa Rica.
After his French wife suggested an end to their long distance relationship they found neutral ground and a new home in Manly, Australia. “Manly was the choice that combines beach lifestyle into an urban environment. Six years later we don’t see ourselves leaving,” he says. Which was great news for WOW who snapped him up a few months ago to come on board as a mental health clinician and surfing instructor. Austin describes WOW as the perfect match for him, combining his love for surfing and passion for psychology.
The Fear Factor
For many WOW participants the fear of the ocean and its crashing waves can be hard to overcome. Austin, who has surfed all over the world, feels equipped to help conquer these fears and tries to turn stress into a positive experience for those who come along to the weekly sessions.
He believes there are direct parallels between wellbeing and surfing and that’s why it’s a natural blend for healing. “There is a simple baseline to wellbeing that comprises of hydration, nutrition, physical activity, and socialising,” says Austin.” I think surfing captures most of these and therefore helps in the healing effect.”
Waves Of Emotion
The mental health benefits of surfing may not be as obvious as the physical ones but they’re real and they present themselves differently for each person. From clearing your mind to stabilising your emotions to helping you deal with depressive symptoms.
“All of your senses are activated while being in the ocean which brings focus in the moment. It relinquishes the stress of thinking about other issues going on in your life,” says Austin. His ability to tap into the needs of participants and tailor these outcomes is invaluable. As is his groundedness and ability to hone into the rhythm of the waves. No doubt this was a powerful skill he brought to competing - which you can imagine requires great mental strength, persistence, the ability to read the ocean - not to mention remaining calm under immense pressure.
As he says, surfing is about finding synchronicity in the ocean. “When a good ride finally happens that connection with nature is a powerful confidence boost.”
The Coach With The Stoke
Compared to his coaching, with WOW Austin focuses less on the technical factors of surfing and more on the enjoyment of the waves. Which is what you’ll come to know as the WOW factor. More fun, more time to chat, more connection with each other and with nature - that’s the stoke you can expect in a session with Austin or at any of the programs along the east coast of Australia.
WOW asked Austin to finish these sentences:
The best waves in Sydney are found: ....in North Narrabeen
If I wasn't a surfer I would be: ....a bodyboarder
What I love most about Bondi is: … the divide of the beach into fibreglass and foamie surfboards areas.