Keep up with HIG on Instagram

Bruckner Chase and Ocean Positive made their way to Australia in October to bring the Blue Journey Unified program down under. For several years, Bruckner has been working with Surf Life Saving Australia and the University of the Sunshine Coast. His most recent visit focused on presentations, training sessions and outreach for inclusive sports and surf lifesaving. 

After starting this collaboration in 2014, and weathering the challenges of pandemics and closed borders, Bruckner was thrilled to be back in Australia. The trip was a smashing success with new friends made and the potential for bigger collaborations blossoming. Bruckner says, “….we are just getting started!”

Among many other moments and memories made, Bruckner says the highlights of his trip were presenting and in-water sessions at the Princess Alexandra Hospital's Spinal Injury Unit, presenting at USC Occupational Therapy Program and open water immersion sessions with the University of the Sunshine Coast and Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club. Blue Journey Unified is sponsored by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, GU and the Bacharach Institute for Rehabilitation. Read more about their ongoing programs here.

If you haven't already discovered the Wave Safe Series that Bruckner created with NOAA watch the introduction below and stick around for the following episodes that cover how to stay wave safe on the east coast, west coast and beyond.