Dr Rory Van Der Linden is an ICU registrar, rural medicine enthusiast and committed surfer. Ahead of his return to Jawa Jiwa in G-Land for the Surfing Doctors Annual Conference 2026 from 20 to 30 September, he talks about medicine on the road, friendships built through Surfing Doctors, cold-water humiliation in Melbourne and why G-Land keeps pulling him back.
Nationality?
Australia
Current position?
ICU reg
Education and work experience
Lots of rural stuff; critical care.
Medical interests
Rural generalism; critical care.
Local Spot
Pennos
What is your favourite wave in the world and why?
Probably the Point; it’s a mental tube with a take-off as small as the Penong Front Bar. It’s a great time.
Travel experience?
Lots of Aus, Indo, a bit of Japan, Europe and the UK.
Worst surf trip ever?
They don’t exist. I never go on a surf trip; I take boards away with me. If I get waves, that’s a bonus, but the mission is an epic time with good people in beautiful places full of exciting food and cultures. Sometimes you get super coned and others you don’t, but heck, I’ve never had a bad double-wrap combo or bakso.*
Best thing about surfing?
Surfing’s weird, I reckon. We act all cool and measuredly guarded, but boil that away and surfing brings together people of every which background with a shared mission to have an absolute blast. I love meeting people in the raw, far reaches of the world, cos that’s where we all just drop the shit, get along and share in each other’s stoke for all things life.
Best advice you were ever given with regard to surfing?
Be the heron and watch for kingfishers.
Favourite surfer in the world and why?
Lod (Liam O’Donnel)
Current go-to surfboards? Make and dimensions
Secret Mum’s Business 6’9
It has been three years since I saw you last in G-Land. Time flies when you’re surfing. Three years ago, where were you, and where are you now?
Three years ago, I was probably enjoying a beer during a year of purely fishing, surfing, family and friends. Now I’m working in Adelaide. I actually love my work rn. Anti-Adelaide, but I’m on vacay every second week, so it’s pretty damn good, really.
What have been the best experiences while being involved with the Surfing Doctors?
Probs when Coops, my anaesthesiologist mate, brought me along for the first time. He’s not a doctor at all; in fact, a jack of all trades and master of fun. But he came to G-Land and slotted right in. He learnt some cool bush medicine, and we learnt about all sorts. Together, we all just had a sick time. That’s Surfing Doctors.
Also, making a friend in Whayudi. He worked at Jawa Jiwa my first year. Now he’s three years into his English degree and running a tutoring gig for local students studying English in Banyuwangi, the closest small city to G-Land.
What was the most challenging experience you have dealt with on the road in terms of medical situations?
Nothing too full-on, thankfully. A head injury in Indo was gnarly. A shoulder dislocation in the Far West, fixed with lots of beer, Oxys and EDM, was painful. Sorry, Kane.
Advice for anyone thinking about joining the Surfing Doctors?
Come once to G-Land; you’ll probably come back many times.
Have you had your fair share of barrels over the last three years, or has work dominated?
Nah, reasonable balance. Lots of work for my liking, but I have managed some fun waves at home, and a few trips have made it good!
Heading back to G-Land this year for the conference. How does that make you feel?
Keen to catch up with everyone and stay in the jungle. I love it there. It’s an old man’s paradise, with cruisey days enjoying the fruits of life.
Any tips for anyone heading to G-Land for the first time?
Bring your bird book and twitching shirt.
And perhaps grab a BB gun in Kuta for the monsters.
Surfed any wave pools? If so, where, and what was it like?
Yes. Melbourne. The water was nine degrees. I couldn’t surf; my feet were ice. The head lifeguard said I should go in cos I was being a liability.
The set of the day comes grinding down the reef. Big, gnarly and heavy. You’re next in line, your board’s a bit small and the wave’s a bit big. Your brothers are starting to shout at you. The entry point is there, but it looks so sketchy. Everyone is watching, possibly hoping to see you get launched. What do you do?
If I’m on my 6’9, I’d better go. I’ve got a well-established pindrop.
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