About Rusty Lessons & Pricing MindSurf Therapy Veteran Surf Project Reviews Book Now Call 0414 555 306
★★★★★ #1 Activity in Gerringong

40 Years. One Beach.
Endless Possibilities.

Learn to surf at Seven Mile Beach with Rusty Moran, former professional big wave surfer, engineering graduate, and Australia's leading surf therapy researcher.

★★★★★ 5.0 from 351 five-star Google reviews
Book a Lesson 📞 0414 555 306
351 Five-Star Reviews
40+ Years Surfing
7 Certified Coaches
NDIS Registered Provider
Rusty Moran, founder of Gerringong Surf School
PhD Candidate
Surf Therapy
WSU
About Rusty Moran

Not Your Average
Surf Instructor

Rusty Moran has been riding waves for over 40 years. As a young gun he chased big swells in Hawaii, competing on the professional circuit alongside the world's best. Then he came home to Seven Mile Beach and decided to share everything he'd learned.

What makes Rusty different is his background. An engineering degree means he doesn't just teach surfing by feel, he breaks technique into steps you can understand, repeat, and build on. Every lesson is structured, progressive, and designed to actually work.

He's now a PhD candidate in Surf Therapy at Western Sydney University, researching how surfing rebuilds mental health after trauma. That research led directly to founding the Veteran Surf Project in 2020 — Australia's first non-clinical surf therapy program for veterans and first responders.

  • 🏄 Former professional big wave surfer, competed in Hawaii
  • 🏫 Bachelor of Engineering, breaks technique into teachable steps
  • 📚 PhD candidate, Surf Therapy, Western Sydney University
  • ♡ Founder, Veteran Surf Project, DVA funded, free for vets and first responders
  • 🌐 NDIS registered provider, MindSurf surf therapy program
Book with Rusty
Lessons & Pricing

Every Lesson, Every Level,
One Place

From first-timers to intermediate surfers, kids to adults, group lessons to private coaching. All prices below, no surprises.

Adults & Mixed

Weekend Warrior

Group lesson for beginners. Learn the basics of paddling, popping up, and reading waves on Seven Mile Beach.

$155 / person

Group session

  • All equipment included
  • Professional instruction
  • Suitable for complete beginners
Adults & Mixed

Feel It

More time in the water, more personalised feedback. Perfect if you've had one lesson and want to lock in your technique.

$195 / person

Group session

  • Extended session time
  • Smaller group ratio
  • More personalised feedback
Adults & Mixed

Improver

For those who can stand up but want to progress turns, positioning, and wave selection. Take your surfing to the next level.

$345 / person

Full day program

  • Intermediate-focused coaching
  • Advanced wave reading
  • Manoeuvre breakdown
Adults, Private

Private with Rusty

One-on-one with Rusty himself. His engineering background means rapid technique improvement, the fastest way to progress.

$200 / hr

Private coaching

  • Direct coaching from Rusty
  • Fully personalised to your level
  • Book by phone for availability
Adults, Private

Private with Coaches

Private lesson with one of our certified coaches. Flexible session length, focused entirely on you.

$150 / 1.5 hrs

Private coaching

  • Certified surf instructor
  • Equipment included
  • Morning or afternoon sessions
Kids, Private

Kids Private Lessons

Private lessons for kids, scaled by group size. The more kids in the group, the better value it gets.

$145 / session

1 child. Up to 6 children: $275

  • 1 child: $145
  • 2 children: $175
  • Up to 6 children: $275
Kids, After School

After-School Surf

A full term of surf lessons for kids. Weekly sessions in a structured, progression-based program.

$350 / term

10 lessons per school term

  • 10 lessons per school term
  • Progressive skill development
  • Equipment included
Kids, Holiday Camp

Surf Skate Meditate

Our popular holiday camp combines surfing, skateboarding, and mindfulness into 3 days kids won't stop talking about.

$200 / 3 days

School holiday program

  • Surfing and skateboarding
  • Mindfulness and breathwork
  • All equipment provided

Just hiring gear? Boards and wetsuits available by the day.

$50
Board / day
$20
Wetsuit / day
Call to Book
NDIS Registered

MindSurf — Surf
Therapy Program

Gerringong Surf School is one of the only surf therapy providers in Australia with a PhD-level researcher leading the program. MindSurf uses ocean-based therapy to support veterans, trauma survivors, NDIS participants, and anyone whose mental health needs more than a standard clinical session.

116
Veterans in Rusty's research study
10
Sessions per program
7mo
Improvements retained post-program

Rusty's research shows measurable improvements in PTSD, depression, and social connectedness, and those improvements hold for at least 7 months after the program ends. This is evidence-based therapy, not just a fun day out.

NDIS DVA Funded WorkCover EAP Referrals

MindSurf Pricing

Covered by NDIS, DVA, WorkCover, or out-of-pocket

Private Therapy Session
1:1 with Rusty, beachside
$250 / 3 hrs
Group Therapy Session
Small group, peer support included
$150 pp / 3 hrs
Funding made easy. We work directly with NDIS plan managers, DVA case workers, and WorkCover insurers. If you're unsure whether your plan covers surf therapy, call us and we'll help you find out.

Enquire About MindSurf
Est. 2020

Veteran
Surf Project

In 2020, Rusty founded Australia's first non-clinical surf therapy program for veterans and first responders. The idea was simple: the ocean heals. And the research proved it.

The Veteran Surf Project is completely free for eligible participants, funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It's not charity, it's peer-supported, evidence-based therapy delivered through surfing.

  • ✓ Australia's first non-clinical surf therapy program for veterans
  • ✓ 100% free for eligible veterans and first responders
  • ✓ Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) funded
  • ✓ ATO deductible gift recipient, your donations are tax-deductible
  • ✓ Peer-delivered, not clinical, mates helping mates
Get Involved
Free
for Australian veterans
and first responders

Eligible applicants

Current and former ADF members, Police, Paramedics, Firefighters, and Emergency Service workers

Call to Enquire

DVA referral or self-referral both accepted

Google Reviews
5.0
★★★★★
351 reviews
Google, #1 Activity in Gerringong
★★★★★

"Absolutely incredible experience. Rusty is such a natural teacher, patient, encouraging, and incredibly knowledgeable. My 8-year-old was standing up on the board by the end of the first session. Can't recommend highly enough."

S
Sarah M.
Google Review
★★★★★

"Rusty's approach is unlike any surf instructor I've had. He explains the physics of what's happening, which made everything click. I went from barely getting up to riding waves properly in two sessions. Worth every cent."

T
Tom K.
Google Review
★★★★★

"We brought our whole family, three kids and two adults who had never surfed. Every single one of us was riding waves. The coaches were amazing with the kids, patient, funny, and genuinely passionate. Seven Mile Beach is stunning too."

J
Jess and Family
Google Review
★★★★★

"Attended the MindSurf program through DVA. I was sceptical, but after 10 sessions I feel like a different person. Rusty's knowledge of trauma is real, this isn't just surfing, it's genuinely therapeutic. Would recommend to any veteran."

D
David R.
Google Review, MindSurf Program

Join 351 five-star families who've learned to surf at Seven Mile Beach.

Book Your Lesson
Find Us & Book

Seven Mile Beach,
Gerroa NSW

We're on one of the most beautiful beaches on the South Coast. Come to the car park, we'll find you.

📞 0414 555 306

Send an Enquiry

We'll get back to you within a few hours.

Getting Here

Seven Mile Beach is 30 minutes south of Kiama and 1.5 hours from Sydney. Take the Princes Hwy through Gerringong, turn onto Crooked River Road toward Gerroa. The car park is inside the National Park entrance.

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