Welcome to another year of Surfing Doctors. After a strong 2025 of conferences, connections, and good waves, we are straight back into it.
March brings the Surfing Doctors Wellness Conference at URBNSURF Melbourne. A solid day in the water, good conversations on land, and a wave count that quietly stacks up.
With the G-Land season also opening, the focus shifts from pool to jungle, with long walls, warm water, and the familiar pull of that incredible line-up.
If you are keen to join the Wellness Conference, spend time at URBNSURF, or head to G-Land, reach out.
If you are interested in becoming a Surfing Doctors member, follow the contacts link and get involved.
Wavepool Wellness Conference
Date: Saturday, 28 March 2026 (one-day event)
Venue: URBNSURF Melbourne
Location: Minutes from Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport
Format: Surf • Wellness • Education • Dinner
Suggested Travel Plan
While the conference program runs on Saturday, attendees are encouraged to arrive on Friday evening and depart on Sunday, allowing time to relax, recover, and connect.
If there is sufficient interest, we will explore hiring the lagoon on Friday night for an optional additional surf session. Expressions of interest will be collected during registration.
The Surf
A full-day, whole-lagoon takeover at URBNSURF Melbourne, with both lefts and rights reserved exclusively for Surfing Doctors attendees.
Confirmed Surf Sessions (Saturday):
- 6:00 am – Whole Lagoon
- 8:00 am – Whole Lagoon
- 12:00 pm – Whole Lagoon
- 2:00 pm – Whole Lagoon
Sessions are currently booked in barrel mode, featuring a roll-in take-off into a tubing section. Wave settings may be adjusted on the day depending on group preference, ability mix, and fatigue management.
The Talks
This is not a traditional conference.
The focus is on wellness, lifestyle, surfing, surf performance, and surf-related injuries. Content is practical, relevant, and immediately applicable.
Confirmed speakers:
- Dr Mark Wilson
- Jason Gilbert
More speakers to be confirmed.
Talks are scheduled between surf sessions to allow for recovery and genuine discussion.
Conference Dinner
Dinner will be held on-site at Three Blue Ducks on Saturday night.
Other food is available on site for purchase.
CPD and Professional Development
This event is designed to be suitable for self-claiming CPD for:
- Medical professionals (GPs, emergency physicians, trainees, specialists)
- Allied health professionals (physiotherapists, chiropractors, sports therapists, etc.)
Content aligns with wellbeing, professional development, performance, and injury prevention domains.
Attendees will receive a program outline, session descriptions, and attendance confirmation to support CPD claims with ACEM, RACGP, and other colleges or professional bodies, in line with individual requirements.
Accommodation
URBNSURF Melbourne is very close to Melbourne Airport.
- Ciloms Airport Lodge – directly across the road
- Mantra Melbourne Airport – nearby
- Additional premium airport hotels within minutes
Getting There
Minutes from Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport, making it ideal for interstate and regional attendees.
Who It’s For
Medical and allied health professionals who surf, or want to, and who are interested in:
- Health, wellness, and lifestyle medicine
- Surf performance and injury prevention
- Longevity, balance, and connection outside clinical work
Cost
$700 per participant
Includes:
- Exclusive whole-lagoon access (4 surf sessions) (4 × $150 value)
- Conference fee and educational sessions
- Exceptional value compared with standard wave-pool pricing
Expression of Interest and Enquiries
Places are limited to 30 participants.
If interested, please email:
david.hateley@uqconnect.edu.au
loosepc65@hotmail.com
G-Land Season Opens Up
If any Surfing Doctors member is keen on doing a stint at Jawa Jiwa in G-Land, the calendar is still wide open. The calendar can be found here: Calendar
Tracks Magazine In G-Land
Tracks Magazine from Australia will be in attendance in G-land from 18 March. They will produce a travel edition and a video on-site. If anyone would like to represent Surfing Doctors, please reach out to Dave Hateley or Phil Chapman.
Surfing Doctors Website
Surfing Doctors Contact Page
Read more: Dr Chapman G-land 2025
Read more: Dr Jack Wilkinson Profile