Friends of Flinders #3

Professional surfer Cooper Chapman shares his love of the waves, and other driving passion, his mental health organisation Good Human Factory.

Hi Cooper, where do you call home?

I live in Mermaid beach on the Gold Coast, and grew up on Sydney’s Northern beaches at North Narrabeen.

What’s your favourite local?

Favourite local cafe if Rafiki at Mermaid Beach surf club, or Palm Springs in Burleigh Heads is awesome too.

What’s your favourite Australian Beach?

My favourite Australian beach would have to be Kirra. It is a wave that has such special history and is of serious world class. And I have had multiple of my best waves ever out there.

What do you do?

I am a professional surfer but I also own and operate a mental health organisation called The Good Human Factory. I am a keynote speaker and deliver an interactive mental health workshop. I also host a podcast — Good Humans with Cooper Chapman. The Good Human Factory has a range of different activations all around empowering others to be aware of and take better care of their mental health.

How did you get into your profession?

I have been surfing since I was 9 years old when my dad used to push me into waves because he used to and still does, surf every day. Its something I am very grateful for that surfing is a sport that will stay with me long after pursuing it as a professional endeavour.

What’s the most important thing about your profession?

Now my profession as a speaker and mental health advocate, the most important thing is spreading positive information. Giving people inspiration and access to information that didn’t have previously. I think the most important thing for me is to communicate in an engaging and effective way to shift people’s way of thinking and be open-minded to new ways of living.

If you weren’t doing what you do, what would you be doing?

That’s a hard question, I just love coming up with creative ideas to improve the world. So I could maybe see myself as a consultant for businesses on ways to innovate products and services to improve the world.

What do you do in your down time?

In my down time I play a little golf, read lots of books, and listen to podcasts.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Keep learning. You never know when something you learn will positively benefit your own or someone else's life are you. If you continue to learn and be open-minded, everything will work out just fine.

Lastly, what is your favourite Flinders garment?

I am a huge fan of the Flinders chinos, I’ve always found it hard to find pants that are flexible, comfortable but still very classy. These pants tick all the boxes!