Photo: Shaun Brooks by Steve Ryan.
IN MEMORY OF SHAUN BROOKS
The 50 Year Storm is run at Bells Beach between 1st June and 31st August, to raise awareness for people's mental wellbeing. Over $45,000 has been raised so far and donated to One in Five and headspace, 50 Year Storm’s charity partners.
The 50 Year Storm came about by Shaun’s mates wanting to pay tribute to him and acknowledge mental health issues to create a conversation.
Inspiration came from the tongue-in-cheek ‘90s classic, Point Break. In the film, Bohdi (Patrick Swayze) escapes the FBI manhunt by paddling out into massive waves at Bells Beach created by the mythical “50 year storm”… never to be seen again.
Our idea was originally a big wave event, but it has grown into more of a metaphor that everyone at one point in their life may experience: a 50 year storm of some magnitude. The event aims to bring the community together, generate conversations, create awareness and break down the stigma behind mental health wellbeing.
The action is based around surfing during a waiting period, held over winter with the best swell and conditions calling the day. We utilise a voting format so the community has 100% say in who they want to see surf, with the top 30 being recognised followed by a community paddle out to share a wave on the day.