How Fliteboarding helps improve mental health
Finding balance on the water
World Mental Health Day is a reminder to promote our mental well-being in a world that can often feel overwhelming. Mental health is something we all need to take seriously, and for many, finding an outlet that promotes well-being can be life-changing. Recently, more people are turning to watersports, such as Fliteboarding, as a way to manage stress, anxiety, and mental health challenges. Whether it's the incredible feeling of flying peacefully above the water or simply being in nature, these activities can offer immense psychological benefits.
One inspiring example of how Fliteboarding has supported mental health is the story of Matt McVeigh, a Fliteboard Performance Team Rider. Just a few years ago, Matt was struggling with both his physical and mental health. After moving to the Sunshine Coast, Australia, surrounded by the ocean lifestyle he wasn’t a part of, he felt disconnected and stuck. Overweight and battling inner struggles, Matt was determined to make a change.
“I saw people out surfing and wanted to join, but I didn’t know where to start,” he recalls. After a frustrating attempt to learn longboarding, Matt began researching other water activities. That’s when he discovered Fliteboarding, an electric hydrofoil that’s easy to learn and lets you glide above the water’s surface offering an unmatched feeling of freedom. The powered aspect of the sport intrigued him. “I took a lesson and just loved it,” Matt says. That lesson became the turning point in his life.
Fliteboarding offered Matt something he hadn’t experienced in other sports: the thrill of flying over water, the physical challenge, and a profound sense of freedom. As Matt immersed himself in the sport, he began to see the changes not just in his body but in his mind as well. He lost 25 kilos (55 pounds), got fitter, and found a new passion that positively impacted his mental health. “It’s a full-body workout. You can push yourself as hard as you want and get whatever you want out of it,” he explains.
Beyond the physical benefits, Matt discovered that Fliteboarding helped clear his mind. Being out on the water helped him focus on the present, letting go of the daily stresses that once weighed him down. This combination of physical activity, adrenaline, and being immersed in nature is what makes watersports like Fliteboarding so therapeutic. For many, it's a way to escape the noise of everyday life, find clarity, and regain a sense of control.
“I’d go out eFoiling before work, knowing I didn’t need perfect conditions or even much time. I’d drop the board in and just go,” says Matt. Over time, his dedication to Fliteboarding led him to become a top performer in the eFoiling world. In 2023, he was inducted into Flite’s Performance Team, he also runs a Fliteschool where he now helps others discover the joy of eFoiling.
Matt’s journey is a powerful reminder that mental health challenges don’t have to define you. By taking action—whether through sport, community, or simply spending time outdoors—people can make positive changes in their lives. Fliteboarding became more than just a hobby for Matt; it became a lifeline, helping him improve his physical health and emotional well-being.
As we recognise World Mental Health Day, it's crucial to acknowledge how activities like Fliteboarding can support mental wellness. Whether you’re an athlete, a beginner, or someone just looking for a way to connect with nature, the simple act of being on the water can have profound effects on your state of mind. In a world where mental health challenges are on the rise, finding a passion that helps you heal, like Fliteboarding did for Matt, can be transformative.
Whether you're looking to reduce stress, improve fitness, or find mental clarity, Fliteboarding might be the perfect way to reconnect with both yourself and the world around you.
For more on Matt’s story and his interview with Men’s Health, click here.