A quick catchup with Surfing Doctors member Billy Newsman

Three years have passed since Surfing Doctors last shot the breeze with Billy. Back then he was still studying medicine at James Cook University. Today he is an unaccredited medical registrar at Gold Coast University Hospital, with a growing list of surf trips and medical experience behind him. With Billy preparing to head back to G-Land for the annual Surfing Doctors Conference from 20–30 September, it was the perfect time to see where life, medicine and surfing have taken him.

Nationality?

Half Australian, half English.

Current position?

Unaccredited Medical Registrar at Gold Coast University Hospital.

Education and work experience

MBBS, James Cook University (2018–2023), completing three years in Townsville and three years in Cairns.

Intern at Gold Coast University Hospital, with rotations in palliative care, general surgery, orthopaedics and emergency medicine.

Resident Medical Officer at Gold Coast University Hospital, completing a mix of medical and emergency department terms.

Medical PHO at Gold Coast University Hospital, working in geriatrics, general medicine and cardiology.

Medical interests

As far as medical subspecialties go, I’m probably most interested in renal medicine and infectious diseases.

Those jobs tend to be fairly hands-off though, so I’m keen to get a bit more emergency department experience under my belt before committing to a particular pathway.

Local surf spot?

First Avenue at Broadbeach (the Gold Coast’s secret spot). It hasn’t had a decent bank since Tropical Cyclone Alfred in 2025, so I’ve been forced to hassle with the masses on my backhand at Snapper and Burleigh.

What is your favourite wave in the world and why?

It would have to be G-Land. The jungle is a pretty special place, it’s incredibly consistent, and the waves can be absolutely mind-blowing on every tide. Plus it’s a left.

Hideaways in the Mentawai Islands would be a close second, although we didn’t score it with much swell, so it’s hard to compare.

Travel experience

Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, with a few sneaky surfs around Florianópolis.

Lots of family trips back to the UK, where I’ve been pleasantly surprised by some of the beach breaks.

Hossegor in France, which quickly makes you realise how average the UK beachies really are.

Multiple family trips to Bali, with each visit noticeably busier than the last.

Snow trips to Avoriaz in France and Wanaka in New Zealand.

A month at G-Land as a medical student in 2023, followed by another trip for the Surfing Doctors Conference in 2025.

A month based at Barra de la Cruz in Mexico during 2024.

A brief side quest to Ericeira during a European summer trip with my girlfriend, where we were completely skunked.

Most recently, two weeks at a land camp in the Mentawais around the Playgrounds area.

Best surf trip ever?

It’s a toss-up between my first Bali trip as a grom in 2012, when I was introduced to the Racetrack at Uluwatu, and spending a month at G-Land during my medical placement in 2023.

Worst surf trip ever?

I don’t really believe there’s such a thing as a bad surf trip.

Wave-quality wise though, it would have to be Ericeira last year. We went in the off-season and found small waves, howling cross-shore winds and cold water. I think I owe the place a redemption trip in autumn.

Best thing about surfing?

Going fast and getting barrelled.

Best advice you’ve ever received about surfing?

Always take two more paddles than you think you need.

Favourite surfer and why?

It’s a toss-up between Harry Bryant and Dylan Graves.

Harry Bryant is an Aussie goofy-footer with incredible style who rips in every condition on just about any board.

Dylan Graves probably has the most enviable YouTube channel in surfing, travelling the world discovering interesting and obscure waves.

Current quiver?

5’6″ 28L Stuart FX4 groveller

5’10” 28L Sharpeye File Fifty

6’2″ 29L MG step-up (creased twice at G-Land, so next trip may well be its last)

6’9″ Wayne Lynch 1996 semi-gun with glass-on fins

It has been three years since you joined Surfing Doctors. Back then you were still a student at James Cook University. Where are you now?

I’ve been based on the Gold Coast since finishing university, trying to spend as much time in the water as possible to make up for six years of lost surfing.

I’ve been working as a medical registrar this year, which has definitely been more stressful at times, but it’s also been far more hands-on and has taught me a lot about making decisions under pressure.

I’m really looking forward to taking a bit of a medical gap year next year and doing some locum work.

What have been the best experiences through Surfing Doctors?

Going to the conference last year was definitely a highlight.

It’s pretty special meeting a group of like-minded people, many of whom have decades of experience in both medicine and surf travel.

As a bonus, you end up knowing someone at hospitals close to good surf all over the place.

What has been the most challenging medical situation you’ve dealt with while travelling?

Earlier this month we had a guy dislocate his shoulder at Pitstops in the Mentawais.

I managed to palm that one off to my mate Oli, who had done a few more reductions than I had. It popped back in pretty seamlessly while still in the water, but I’m first in line for the next one.

Apart from that, I was pretty lucky during my month at G-Land, where I didn’t have to deal with much more than a few viral illnesses.

Advice for anyone thinking about joining THE Surfing Doctors?

If you’ve spent a bit of time in the water, it’s a no-brainer.

I can’t think of many other organisations quite like it.

Have you had your fair share of barrels over the past three years, or has work dominated?

Somehow I’ve consistently managed to be rostered every time a decent swell has arrived.

Broadbeach isn’t exactly famous for hollow waves either, although I’ve managed to snag the odd barrel on the points and at Straddie.

Fortunately I’ve been able to spend a fair chunk of my annual leave on surf trips. We scored properly in Mexico during 2024 and had plenty of fun, playful waves in the Mentawais earlier this year.

You’re heading back to G-Land for this year’s conference. How does that feel?

I’m super excited.

The education programme looks excellent, and hopefully the surf forecast is every bit as good as it was last year.

Any tips for someone heading to G-Land for the first time?

Don’t just bring a shortboard.

In the wise words of Doc Phil, don’t froth too hard.

And post-inebriation nausea and speedboat rides are a terrible combination.

Have you surfed any wave pools?

I’ve surfed a couple of Wavegarden setups.

URBNSURF Sydney and Melbourne are fairly similar, but one particularly memorable session was at 6am in complete darkness during the Melbourne Surfing Doctors Conference earlier this year. Air temperatures were in the single digits and the water wasn’t much warmer.

Fortunately there were only three of us surfing the left, so we were getting two waves every set.

I’ve also surfed The Wave in Bristol, which felt a little softer than the Australian Wavegarden setups.

Set of the day comes grinding down the reef from Kongs. Big, heavy and intimidating. You’re next in line. THIS IS YOUR LIFE…

First I feel the trickle of terror warming my boardshorts.

Then I hear my brother Joey calling me a coward from the shoulder.

I pin the ears back, put my head down and paddle as hard as I can, already imagining Speedies spitting me into the channel.

Unfortunately that dream lasts about three seconds.

I roll in at the pad, wash off too much speed trying to get high in the pocket, and the lip grabs me like a vindictive former lover before launching me onto the toothy reef below.

Several hours later, while lime juice burns across my freshly clawed back, the boys kindly remind me that the wave did, in fact, blow its guts out into the channel.

Without me.