IN A time when men’s mental health is being more openly spoken about across Australia, the Phillip Island Boardriders Club (PIBC) is proving that community, connection, and the ocean can be powerful tools for healing and resilience.
For decades, PIBC has been a cornerstone of Phillip Island’s surf culture and longest running club in Australia — not just a place to compete, but a home for generations of young men (and women) to find rhythm, purpose, and belonging. Now more than ever, this role has taken on deeper meaning.
“We’ve seen it firsthand,” says President Jake Eisen. “There have been tough times over the past few years — moments when our PIBC community has banded around young men and families who were struggling.”
The waves around Phillip Island are more than a playground — they are therapy. For many young men, especially those navigating life’s uncertainties, surfing offers a sense of routine and purpose.
“There’s something powerful about shared experiences in the ocean,” says PIBC committee member Jo O’Reilly Stubbs. “As a coastal community and grassroots board riders club, we’re here for each other and our families — and that’s what creates community resilience.”
In response to recent mental health challenges and the devastating impact of suicide within the local surf community, PIBC will be hosting a specialty surf event in October focused on raising awareness for mental health in the region. The day will combine competitive surfing with an MC, wellbeing activities, and a chance for the broader community to show up and support each other.
Recognising the value of a holistic approach to wellbeing, PIBC also offers yoga for surf performance, mindfulness, and mental health, open to both club members and the wider community.
Led by Dominique Salerno, the affordable sessions are held at the newly renovated PIBC clubhouse, providing a safe, welcoming space for everyone to breathe, stretch, and reconnect — both physically and mentally.
PIBC runs yoga classes on:
- Mondays from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
- Tuesdays from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
- Thursdays from 9:30 am to 11:00 am
- Fridays from 6:00 am to 7:00 am
Prices: $15 for non-members, $10 for PIBC members.
All levels are welcome, from first-time yogis to seasoned surfers looking to enhance their performance and focus.
Dominique brings a calm, grounded energy that’s made a real impact, with participants saying the sessions help them feel “lighter,” “stronger,” and “more in control” both in and out of the water.
PIBC’s 25/26 competition season will begin after the next AGM, the AGM date is due to be announced next month.
