Medicine:Surf therapy
Surf therapy is analogous to nature therapy and is defined by the International Surf Therapy Organisation in 2017 as a type of mental health intervention that uses surfing and the ocean environment to promote physical and psychological well-being.[1] It combines surf instruction, surfing activities, and structured individual and group activities to support individuals in achieving personal goals and improving their overall health.[2]
Surf therapy is sometimes called adaptive surfing and can become a pathway to para surfing. It can also be related to the concepts of blue care or ocean therapy and thalassotherapy.[3]
History
During the Victorian era, sea swimming was widely believed to have significant health benefits leading to its popularity as a therapeutic and recreational activity. Seaside spa towns became popular destinations in the UK and throughout Europe with physicians recommending sea bathing for various ailments and illnesses.
In 2010 the NHS Cornwall Primary Care Trust (PCT) has started a trial six-weeks UK-wide referral-based surf therapy programme called Wave project for vulnerable young children and adults aged 8-21.[4][5] In 2011 the non-profit Wave Project CIC (community interest company) was established to deliver the programme full scale.[6][7][8]
In Australia surf therapy uses findings and approaches developed within Adaptive physical education framework.
In 2011 a Cape Town local organisation Waves for Change, headed by an English former graduate Tim Conibear,[9] received a grant in 2017 to organise a meeting of practitioners from different countries.[10][11] Thus the International Surf Therapy Organisation (ISTO) was created and has been since monitoring the research work and surf therapy programmes that have been developed around the world.
There is a large number of such programmes worldwide targeting different individual profiles: women who have been victims of violence, young people from difficult social backgrounds, people with disabilities, and even war veterans.[12][13][14][11][15][16]
One of the first international surf therapy instructor certification programs run by the International Surfing Association was launched in LaJolla, California in 2020.[17]
Measurement
In recent years a number of academic studies were conducted to understand better the concept and it’s effective therapeutic application[18] as well as to systematise the body of knowledge and the practices for further programming and field application.[19][20]
See also
- Nature therapy
- Para surfing
- Thalassotherapy
External links
- The Wave Project
- International Surf Therapy Organisation
- Roxy Davis Foundation
- Association of Adaptive Surfing Professionals
References
- ↑ R.McKenzie, T. Chambers (2021-10-14). ""Feels Good to Get Wet": The Unique Affordances of Surf Therapy Among Australian Youth". Frontiers in Psychology 12. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.721238. PMID 34721176.
- ↑ Podavkova, Tereza; Dolejs, Martin (2022-02-17). "Surf Therapy-Qualitative Analysis: Organization and Structure of Surf Programs and Requirements, Demands and Expectations of Personal Staff". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19 (4): 2299. doi:10.3390/ijerph19042299. ISSN 1660-4601. PMID 35206478.
- ↑ Britton, Easkey; Kindermann, Gesche; Domegan, Christine; Carlin, Caitriona (2020-02-01). "Blue care: a systematic review of blue space interventions for health and wellbeing". Health Promotion International 35 (1): 50–69. doi:10.1093/heapro/day103. ISSN 0957-4824. PMID 30561661. PMC 7245048. https://academic.oup.com/heapro/article/35/1/50/5252008?login=false.
- ↑ "NHS-funded surf therapy to boost wellbeing" (in en-gb). 2013-11-15. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24744632.
- ↑ "Our story at The Wave Project in the United Kingdom" (in en-GB). https://www.waveproject.co.uk/our-story/.
- ↑ "Is surfing therapy for disabled?" (in en-GB). 2012-06-18. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-18490936.amp.
- ↑ C. Godfrey, H Devine-Wright, J. Taylor (2015). "The positive Impact of structured surf courses on the well-being of vulnerable young people". Community Practitioner (1): 26–29. https://waveproject.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/p26-29-Professional_Godfrey1.pdf.
- ↑ "The Wave Project with Jamie Marshall" (in en). https://finisterre.com/blogs/broadcast/the-wave-project-jamie-marshall?srsltid=AfmBOopsG_FOKPPyw0Qvln9ZKq8Tc2tKPhsRouoKEfnkzCHxUMQNi8As.
- ↑ "A Brit expat is using surf therapy to help South Africa's deprived children" (in en). 2015-08-21. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/waves-for-change-how-surf-therapy-is-helping-south-africa-s-most-deprived-children-10464362.html.
- ↑ Lambert, Cash (2024-04-21). "Go Far, Go Together: The Story Behind the International Surf Therapy Organization" (in en). https://www.americansurfmagazine.com/article/international-surf-therapy-organization-history.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Dall, Nick. "'It gave me a purpose': Surf therapy transforms lives in South Africa" (in en). https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2023/12/2/south-africa-waves-for-change-surfing-mental-health-therapy.
- ↑ "Surf Therapy: the benefits of the Ocean on our health | Surfrider news | Surfrider Foundation Europe" (in en-GB). https://www.surfrider.eu/learn/news/surf-therapie-bienfaits-ocean-notre-sante/.
- ↑ "Surf therapy: 'I was prescribed surfing to help my depression'" (in en-gb). 2025-01-12. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yrz0yg5j8o.amp.
- ↑ "Victorian research finds surfing can reduce youth mental health symptoms - ABC News". 18 May 2025. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-18/victorian-research-shows-surf-therapy-helps-mental-health/105302522.
- ↑ Kalaichandran, Amitha (2019-08-08). "Catching Waves for Well-Being" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/08/well/mind/catching-waves-for-well-being.html.
- ↑ Serra, Genevieve (2024-11-16). "Surfing champion Roxy Davis turns surf therapy for disabled children into PhD research" (in en). https://iol.co.za/weekend-argus/news/2024-10-05-surfing-champion-roxy-davis-turns-surf-therapy-for-disabled-children-into-phd-research/.
- ↑ "First-Ever ISA Adaptive Surfing Instructor Certification Program Marks Major Milestone | Surfing Australia" (in en-AU). https://surfingaustralia.com/first-ever-isa-adaptive-surfing-instructor-certification-program-marks-major-milestone/page/4/?et_blog.
- ↑ Manero, Ana; George, Phoebe; Yusoff, Asad; Olive, Lisa; White, Joanna (2024-08-07). "Understanding surfing as a 'blue space' activity for its contributions to health and wellbeing" (in en). npj Ocean Sustainability 3 (1): 1–4. doi:10.1038/s44183-024-00076-4. ISSN 2731-426X. https://www.nature.com/articles/s44183-024-00076-4.
- ↑ "The student studying the healing power of surfing" (in en-gb). 2021-10-21. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-58994935.
- ↑ Bristol, University of (17 June 2024). "New PhD to investigate mental health benefits of surfing" (in en-GB). https://www.bristol.ac.uk/cabot/news/2024/surfing-phd.html.
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