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Article: Stressed execs hit surf

Courier-Mail, 15oct02
By LEAH MOORE

WHEN the surf is up the stress is down, or at least that is what a Brisbane-based executive placement company that has created a stress management surfing program is hoping.

O'Loughlan Executive Search has come up with a Surfing Adventures concept to reduce and manage stress levels as well as kick-start a new lifestyle for executives.

The company's directors, Paul O'Loughlan, Steven Asnicar and Ross Cooper, said they were looking for a different way to stimulate communication and interpersonal relationships as well as offering a lifestyle-enhancing experience for executives.

"The executive Surfing Adventures began as a simple surf board getaway for our top 10 corporate customers. However, the concept quickly evolved into a different and innovative platform for stress management due to its appeal to corporate executives between 40 and 50 years of age," Mr Asnicar said.

"Most high-level executives have been working under extreme levels of stress for many years. Many are at the point where they are looking at fulfilling their dreams not only in terms of financial investment but also in terms of investing in lifestyle opportunities."

The first executive Surfing Adventure will be held at Noosa and Mr Asnicar said at $2000 each it had attracted some of Queensland's top executives.

The program includes surfing tuition from Australian Tandem Surfing Champions Chris d Aobit and Alison Challender, video footage of the day's surfing adventure, lunch and each participant gets their own handcrafted Malibu.

Being avid surfers, the O'Loughlan directors designed and manufactured the exclusive Malibu surfboards themselves with the help of surfing legend Chris McHutchin of Noosa Longboards.

Mr Asnicar estimated the medical cost associated with stress in Australia was more than $1 billion each year and because of the high pressure top executives were under "when they fall, they fall right to the bottom".

Psychologist and director of People Strategies Francis Avenell said stress accumulated over long periods of time which was why exercise was important, acting as a release mechanism.