The WOW Factor: Participant Sarah Shares Her Story
Sarah (with dark blue surfboard) during the Perth program
Words: Amelia Polinelli
“Just like the ocean, everyday is going to be different, some days will be better than others and that is okay.”
Sarah, 19, joined a WOW Surf Experience program for Women's Health in Perth in 2022.
Sarah is from a small country town in Western Australia called Kalgoorlie, 7 hours east of Perth (with not an ocean in sight!).
When Sarah moved to Perth at age 18, she was faced with a new reality. It was a huge adjustment moving to a big city and she felt well and truly out of her comfort zone. Sarah faced challenges as a result.
“I stopped taking care of myself and fell into the wrong group. I was focusing so hard on trying to fit in, I lost who I was.”
Sarah found out about Waves of Wellness Foundation (WOW) through a friend who had signed up for the program. Sarah hoped to get out of the house, meet some new people and have some fun.
Initially, Sarah struggled to be vulnerable.
“Having met everyone for the first time I found it difficult to open up to others about my mental health. I would belittle what I was going through, until I learnt it is healthy to open up.”
As the weeks went on, Sarah found confidence in her voice; she shared her experiences, insights and reflections. Her voice greatly inspired and helped others in the group too. Despite the group having different lived experiences, they were able to connect authentically.
“The immense support from the whole group really made me believe in myself and I was able to show that. Everyone was extremely supportive and accepting, which meant a lot of us could relate to one another.”
Since the completion of the program, Sarah has been getting into the ocean as often as she can.
“There is nothing superficial or fake about the ocean, it is real and raw. You can feel peace and calmness while sitting on the sand. Just knowing you have started your day by getting in nature really helps, as it is quite easy to find yourself lost inside and stuck on technology.”
The 8-week program had a positive effect on many areas of Sarah’s life including the importance of vulnerability and self-care.
“The program introduced me to the importance of vulnerability and talking things out with others. As well as surfing which has now become an important factor of self-care and gotten me out of my comfort zone.”
Sarah now strongly values self-compassion and self-appreciation and practices it in her everyday life.
Sarah (pink surfboard) at the end of the 8-week program
“You should take care of your own mental health as you would with somebody else. To be kinder and forgive myself. Just like the ocean, everyday is going to be different, some days will be better than others and that is okay. My mind and body are capable of doing so much.”
Sarah does not just talk the talk, she also walks the walk. She has acknowledged what is important to her in this current phase of life and has made changes in her life to support this.
“I have deferred uni as I was not quite ready for it. I had a troubling time at my previous workplace but have since found new work during the harvesting season. I have no close family in Perth, however through WOW I have made friends for life. I have been taking each day as it comes and doing activities that are making this home feel like my old one.”
Looking forward, Sarah hopes to continue supporting her journey of wellness and continue finding strength in vulnerability.
“(I want to) focus a lot more on my wellbeing. Showing more kindness and compassion, and doing more of what I love to take care of my body! As well as being more open to family and friends when hard times do come and having those conversations.”
Well done Sarah, keep riding those waves of life!
The WOW Surfing Experience (WOWSE) is an eight-week evidence based learn-to-surf program for people experiencing mental health issues.