Bond University Physiotherapy Students Work with World Surf League
As the official higher education partner of the World Surf League (WSL), Bond University can offer its physiotherapy students unmatched opportunities in one of the most exciting industries.
Every semester, Bond students have access to internship opportunities across all facets of the organization, including sport management, sports science, event management, marketing and film and television. Bond academics and researchers also have opportunities to engage with the WSL Australia in the work and research.
For more than 20 years, the WSL hosts a yearly world surf league championship at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast, the world’s most famous right-hand sandy point break and a favourite location for the world’s best surfers. This event is so popular that it sees approximately 5,000–10,000 spectators on the beach—daily!
This year, the event will take place May 6–13. Surfers in this competition compete for a qualifying position on the 2024 WSL Championship Tour.
Bond Physiotherapy Practical Experience
This year, Bond physiotherapy students, academics, and Bond’s Water Based Research Unit (WBRU), will be holding surfer health checks for members of the public attending the event in May. These health checks will be available to surfers and spectators, and will provide Bond DPT students with the opportunity to shadow their academics in the field and take in a world-class sports tournament.
The Bond physio students and academics will measure a participants’ blood pressure, ankle hip and shoulder strength, motion and flexibility, ear health, and body composition. The data collected from these checks will be entered into the WBRU database of both pro and recreational surfers, with participants receiving a report on how their results compare and outlining suggested areas they may like to work on or address with their health professionals of choice.
The fitness data collected will be compared to professional surfers such as Mick Fanning (Australian), Kelly Slater (American) and Stephanie Gilmore (Australian).
They will also measure strength and flexibility, and will conduct a bio-impedance analysis, which is great practical experience for physio students to get hands-on experience.
Assistant Professor of Physiotherapy James Furness overseas students during this practical experience. He has a background in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and he conducts innovative and novel research in the sports of surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, and swimming.
Since 2020, Bond University students in the Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine and Bond Business School have enjoyed exciting internships with WSL.
Bond University Doctor of Physiotherapy
The two-year Doctor of Physiotherapy at Bond University is an accelerated degree—three semesters per year instead of just two. This means you can graduate a year ahead of the rest.
Boasting 36 weeks of clinical placements (well over 1200 hours), Bond has highest placement hours in Australia and a strong emphasis on clinical experiential learning. Placements are sought in a variety of settings across the full spectrum of clinical areas including pediatrics, orthopedics, cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, neurological, ortho-geriatric, rehabilitation, chronic disease, disability, occupational, and sports practice—like world surf league championship!
Practical experience is also built into theoretical learning, with classes primarily delivered at the Bond Institute of Health and Sport. At this world-class testing and training facility, you’ll work with elite athletes and professional sporting teams using the most advanced testing equipment available!
Program: Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT)
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland
Intake: May each year
Duration: 2 years
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