Local physio happy to be surrounded by world class waves
Why would you move back to Victoria from the Sunshine coast?
Physiotherapist Sam Slykuis (pictured) had moved from Geelong to Queensland for surf lifesaving and clinical work.
“One of my now colleagues and business partners came up and had lunch for me and said there’s a job down south if you want to take it.
“I was probably the only person in Australia at the time that came back down, so, I put myself back down into a lockdown. But it was worth it because love the community here, love the workplace, love the people,” he said.
“And good surf.”
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He rejoined Marna Physio, having done his student placement there, which is now a team of six physios, a massage therapist and an exercise physiologist across three locations – Armstrong Creek, Ocean Grove and Waurn Ponds.
He now lives in Jan Juc, one of many internationally famous surfing towns nearby, just 15 mins from Armstrong Creek.
“We’ve got the best coastline in the world in my opinion with the Great Ocean Road and all the breaks between Torquay and Lorne, Bells Beach and Winki.
“And then we’ve also got the Bellarine. So, everything from Point Lonsdale to 13th Beach, we’re just surrounded by world class waves.
“That’s the beauty of living in this area is you’re 15 minutes either direction. You’ve just got access to the best beaches and surf and there’s a really nice surf community here. Yeah, just love it” Sam said.
Image: View of Bells Beach, not far from Ashbury in Armstong Creek. Source: “Bells Beach 2019” by Michael J Fromholtz is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Activities throughout the region
As a local physio he’s kept busy with people gearing up and getting into any and every activity the region has to offer.
He said plenty of people are hiking or running along the coastal paths, and Barwon River remains a very popular spot.
“It’s cricket season, everyone’s playing cricket or pickleball or tennis around the Australian Open and I get surfers all year round but typically this time of year it’s more open water swimmers.”
Clients include a mixed demographic of young families because of the number of sporting teams in the local area – Armstrong United, swim clubs, athletics club, triathlon clubs, local footy clubs
“So plenty of sporting patients that walk through the door but lots of just general injuries and young families and all walks of life.”
It’s not just sport and recreation that’s popular. Sam said the rapid growth of the area and local population has helped the sense of community here too.
“All these small businesses that are popping up, everyone’s out there to help each other and build connections and grow together, which is really cool.
“So, most of the conversations (with others working in the area) do revolve around what sort of growth they’re seeing and what they’re finding challenging, but what they’re also finding that’s working,” he said.
Sam said Marna Physio is available to work with anyone who’s injured or has the goals to return to a sport or pick up a new hobby.
“I had someone last week who is starting to learn to surf at the age of 60, and our role is basically just to facilitate the pathway of moving the body in a pain free or painless way.
“I encourage anyone, if they’ve got goals to be fit and healthy and want to get out there and explore a new hobby, like come on in and we can have that conversation.”
Learn more
Marna Physio
Shop 7/40 Main Street
Armstrong Creek VIC 3217