The Essence Of Surf Therapy
Written By: Megan Comer (OT and Surf Therapist)
Picture this. You just got to the end of a long work day. You then sit in what seems like an even longer commute home, crammed into the seat of your car, stuck in what feels like never-ending traffic. But then, finally, the traffic breaks, the highway ends, and you park your car at the beach, catching your first glimpse of the ocean that day. As fast as you possibly can, you throw on your surfing attire of choice, wax your surfboard and make a break for the ocean.
That feeling when your body first hits the water, bottle that up, and that is the essence of surf therapy.
Surf therapy is an emerging practice where the inherently healing powers of the ocean and surfing are harnessed by trained professionals, passionate surfing enthusiasts, and highly skilled water men and women to improve a vast variety of diagnoses, difficulties, and disabilities (different abilities for more progressive and current language).
The key of surf therapy is that it provides an intrinsically meaningful setting to the participants to receive some type of therapy that they need. Whether it be a veteran who returned home from war with scars deeper than skin level, or a child born with Autism fighting to find her voice, the ocean facilitates a more comfortable and meaningful space that allows for either of them to feel safe to work on themselves.
Look at it like this. Would you rather share a deep conversation with a loved one sitting in a clinical office space, or while sitting in the sand at the shoreline? Would you feel most encouraged to give a public speech for the first time while standing in a single spotlight on a stage? Or while standing with your toes in the water, with the sun warming your skin? Now, not everyone will choose the beach, but what my point is, is that the ocean provides a natural space to progress towards goals a traditional therapist may work on in an artificial, man made space. The natural environment awakens the human body and psyche, which is something that is often very difficult to replicate in a built, man-made space.
Surf therapy currently can be performed or facilitated by many different people, as I mentioned earlier. Whether it be a trained, schooled therapist, a highly experienced waterman, or a combination of the two. Research is beginning to gain momentum in this space, with studies delving deeper into the science that is behind this feeling that so many of us know so well. Trainings are being formulated to encourage the development of more programs to provide more access to more people to surf therapy. More and more populations are being highlighted in programs, with global collaborations happening to ensure that no individual is left un-served.
So. Surf therapy. What is it? It is using surfing as a vehicle to heal wounds, mental or physical. An humbling and equalizing opportunity for individuals to experience breakthroughs in emotional growth. A platform for individuals to strive towards therapeutic goals. A healing experience for individuals, families, communities. A safe space for someone to go to to open up about feeling weak, whether it be a mental burden they have been carrying or a literal physical weakness they cannot control.
To get involved in Surf Therapy, look for events in your area. Groups such as A Walk On Water, Life Rolls On, Waves of Impact, Best Day Foundation, Surfers Healing, and so many more are doing events all over.
Here Are Some Helpful Links: (just a few of many out there)
https://intlsurftherapy.org/ https://wavesofimpact.com/ https://awalkonwater.org/ https://liferollson.org/ http://www.mauliola.org/ https://www.surfershealing.org/ https://www.wavesofstrength.org/ https://operationsurf.org/ https://bestdayfoundation.org/ https://www.accessurf.org/ https://onemorewave.net/ http://www.therasurf.org/
Meg Comer - Spring Lake, NJ AWOW Event 2019