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Whilst coaching a surf lesson at Avoca Beach, Australia, a Canadian tourist participating in the lesson became distressed when caught in a strong rip (a fast moving body of water). The surf lesson consisted of four participants and me as the surf coach.

The participant raised her hand, requesting assistance. Instructing the participant to follow me, we paddled towards the beach. The decision to help was formed by situational exposure to the Australian beach environment, surf culture norms and previous surf coach training. Beach environment exposure and surf culture embody the skills of swimming, surfing and assessing risks. Furthermore, my motivation was driven by the surfer’s code (cultural norm) to help someone in distress without endangering yourself.

Additionally, the decision to act was based upon previous knowledge and experience acquired as a surf coach. Developing competent surf coaching skills has confidently prepared me for rescue scenarios, assessing the skills of participants and motivated me to act in this situation.

Surf coach training adopts a culturally sensitive perspective when teaching participants to surf from different cultural backgrounds. Adopting a worldwide view when coaching participants from various cultures, enables me to become aware of culturally diverse customs, beliefs and swimming/surfing abilities.

My family formed belief of contributing to the wellbeing of others is an intrinsic motivator, driving my long-term helping behaviour. Furthermore, my identity is based upon helping others and value of preserving human life. Surf coaching skill development aligns my core belief of helping others, while valuing the preservation human life and in doing so explains my measured decision to help the Canadian learn to surf participant.

Question: Where does wellbeing start?

Answer: It starts with me and it starts with you.

It commences with the intentional thought to model or share wellbeing and then this can transform into acts of wellbeing.

Where does wellbeing start at School? It starts with the educator and are we not all we educators?

We all play a role in teaching, leading, coaching, role modeling and providing and examples to our children and the people we meet.

Visible wellbeing at school starts at the school gate or the school crossing. It is visible with a genuine greeting, soft eye contact, a smile, a chat or a warm hand or acknowledgement.

My heart warms when I see a teacher make wellbeing visible with their warm, calm and interested acknowledgement of their student.

Wellbeing is in our visible actions to generate safety and security. We can be responsible for kicking off wellbeing and it can be passed back or played forward. The reciprocal nature of wellbeing is awe-inspiring!

 We can all be the change we want to see.

 I challenge you to set the intention and act upon the wellbeing basics of a generous greeting and cultivate human connections one smile at a time.

Can you kick it?

Yes you can!