Healing waves: The transformative power of Surf Therapy

 

 

With years of surfing experience and therapeutic treatment practice, I've noticed that many people are curious about surfing due to its reputation for providing a sense of fulfillment, contentment, and motivation for the day ahead. My clients' curiosity was only heightened when they learned that I surfed myself, as I could eloquently express the positive emotions associated with the activity. Some even requested that I provide a surf therapy session for them. This inspired me to teach them the basics of surfing, including safety and ocean physics, while also offering tips on stress management and mindfulness. And so, that's how it all began.

 

Surf Therapy is a surf session adapted to your level of surfing, ranging from beginner to intermediate. In those sessions we are focusing more on the relationship between you, the Human, and the Ocean as well as managing safety, stress and fundamental surfing techniques. Surf Therapy combines the physical activity of surfing with activities to enhance physical, psychological and mental wellbeing and to treat conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. It can be a calming and sensory experience that involves being in the ocean.

 

Surfing has been shown to have numerous benefits for mental health and overall wellbeing, such as the use of breathing techniques, present moment focus, and conquering fear. After a session, many individuals feel a sense of accomplishment and motivation that can last for days. This feeling of motivation and contentment is vital for wellbeing and good mental health. Additionally, surf therapy has been found to be particularly advantageous for those dealing with PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

 

For decades, the surf culture has been thriving and has been gaining more popularity recently. A major emphasis has been placed on surf culture as a way of life, with a strong connection to spirituality. The ocean has been described as a vast expanse with its own unique life and immense power. During pregnancy, we are surrounded by amniotic fluid made of water, and our bodies are composed of 65% water. Being in the ocean can feel like a return to our fundamental roots and foundation, allowing us to reconnect with the earth and ground ourselves.

 

Practicing mindfulness can be achieved by listening to the sound of waves and comprehending their movement, as well as by focusing on the present moment through the application of wave physics and surfing. The structured process of surfing and understanding when to take action during a wave ride is a form of mindfulness. This makes surfing a valuable therapeutic activity for those seeking to apply their mindfulness skills in a practical setting, which can be described as "active mindfulness".

 

Surf therapy has become an increasingly studied field in recent years, although the programs used are highly personalised due to the nature of the therapy and the instructor's expertise. Based on my experience, I have been able to help numerous individuals overcome their intimidation of surfing while also aiding children in increasing their focus, motivation, and self-esteem through surf therapy. The therapy has proven to be beneficial to overall wellness and has even ignited a passion for surfing and the associated culture in some cases. The success of the program is heavily dependent on the individual's willingness to participate in the therapy. It is recommended that individuals begin with two surf therapy sessions per week for 2-3 weeks, before reducing to one session per week until they are comfortable surfing independently. It is important that individuals practice the exercises provided and aim to surf on their own at least once a week. The more frequently individuals surf, the more comfortable their bodies will become, ultimately leading to a more enjoyable experience.

 

Surf therapy is a complementary treatment that can be used in conjunction with traditional mental health approaches to help individuals apply breathing and stress management techniques. While it may take longer for individuals with declared mental health issues to adapt to the therapy, it is possible to see positive changes in resilience, social connectedness, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and motivation. Surf therapy is an accessible therapy that can benefit anyone, as it is a practical application of mindfulness.

 

According to the article of Elizabeth Benninger et al, a qualitative and quantitative research was done and found that surf therapy had many benefits from Physical to mental via physiological. Standardised wellbeing measures state that over 80% of participants experience positive effects as a result of surfing. They noticed improvements in their mental health and it reduced psychological symptoms.