SURF THERAPY
WHAT IS SURF THERAPY
"The use of surfing as a vehicle for delivering intentional, inclusive, population-specific, and evidence-based therapeutic programs to promote psychological, physical, and social well-being."
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International Surf Therapy Organsiation (ISTO)
SURF THERAPY WORKS
- THE WAVE PROJECT
A UK based surf charity The Wave Project, published a five-year evaluation of their surf therapy programme. The results quantitatively demonstrated that “surfing, when delivered in a supportive environment, with opportunities for continuation and volunteering, provides profound and long-term benefits on the wellbeing of children".
PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND SOCIAL BENEFITS
Surf therapy achieves the trifecta of well-being: physical, mental and social. It improves fitness and mobility, helps people gain confidence and resilience and it is a vehicle for creating social networks, providing key interpersonal skills and a sense of identity.
HOW WE DO IT AT SURF CERRITO
We believe that the key to transformation is through connectedness, vulnerability, empathy. We foster a strong sense of belonging and identity by warmly welcoming each surfer, taking the time to learn about them and their stories, which along with team-building games, creates a family-like community.
Each session includes a charla (chat) on topics surrounding mental health and our core values, where participants can be heard and understood in an empathetic space. These chats within our girls’ classes focus on empowerment and gender equality, providing a space for the girls to be vulnerable.
Guided by the Blue Mind theory, all participants enter the ocean, benefiting from its calming effects, physical exercise, and personal growth, with advanced surfers gaining competition experience. To further build self-esteem and independence, we offer volunteering opportunities to our older surfers, developing their leadership, teaching, and teamwork skills.