Content warning: this article discusses mental health issues and suicide.
Surfing has been part of the lives of Amber Hamer and James Mercy from their earliest days in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales.
"We went straight from the hospital when I was born Mum and Dad took me straight to the beach, because Dad was dying for a surf. I guess that started my lifelong affinity with the water," Ms Hamer said.
Their late father Eric Mercy was a well-known surfer and beloved member of the local community who took his own life.
Now, the brother and sister duo are continuing their father's legacy by teaching youth about mental health and well-being on Gumbaynggirr Country.
'Saltwater therapy'
Amber Hammer and James Mercy host local surfing camps. Source: Supplied
"It's that Vitamin D, it's that fresh air, it's that saltwater. It's all the healthy stuff that we essentially need."
Mr Mercy has also felt its healing powers.
"It's always been somewhere I could go and debrief, and think to myself and have my own space and sort of catch up mental health-wise," he said.
"It's like you are connecting to Country as well in a pure form."
They attribute their love of surfing and connection to the water to their late father Eric.
"He passed away when I was so young... I hear stories off the old fellas even to this day," Mr Mercy said.
Eric Mercy started the surfing program. Source: Supplied
"It was inspirational always watching him surf. I heard he was a presence in the water."
Eric was also strong in culture and made sure everyone had the opportunity to enjoy the waves.
"He always was really strong on us being proud of being Aboriginal and that was always something that he would tell me: 'You be proud of who you are,'" Ms Hamer said.
"He used to run surf camps for young people here. So he took a bunch of young fellas who [go] camping every so often, and they'd go surf and have bush tucker and hang out."
His sudden death in 1997 shattered their world.
Opening up the conversation on mental health
They were still just kids and found it difficult to comprehend the tragedy and their dad's battle with depression.
But out of that pain, the siblings have continued the work their father started.
Five years ago they started hosting regular surfing camps to help young people learn about the healing beauty of the ocean.
Their project is called Naru, the Gumbaynggirr word for water.
"We basically wanted to replicate what he seen what he was trying to do in the early days," Mr Mercy said.
Naru surfng event in Coffs Harbour. Source: Supplied
"And that was really going for the younger generation as well and giving them opportunities to live that healthy lifestyle. If we put 50 kids through a surf lesson, and even two get that bug and they lean into that life, they can have that connection.
"That's what we were looking to achieve."
The two-day event includes a tournament for surfers and a chance for people to come together and raise money for charity.
"I just want to see it change people's lives, whether it's the surf school program, or whether it's the day in itself," said Mr Mercy.
"It's a gathering and there's nothing else like it."
They hope the program helps the next generation by opening up conversations around mental illness.
The surf gathering also helps raise funds for charity. Source: Supplied
"We really want to promote it within our own community and the wider community that there are people out there that will listen to you. There are resources available," Ms Hamer said.
"It's worthy to reach out and have those conversations to check in on your friend, and make sure that they know that there's help out there."
If this article has raised issues for you, call Aboriginal support line 13 YARN on 13 92 76 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
