Veteran Surf Project
Surf Therapy for veterans and first responders
The VSP story
Veteran Surf Project (VSP) is a registered Charity (with ATO tax deductible status) that delivers free surf therapy programs to veterans and first responders. The VSP program consists of a ten week learn to surf course for new members, followed by continuing weekly sessions for program graduates.
Surf therapy does not target specific pathology (such as posttraumatic stress) but rather uses the skill acquisition process of learning to surf as tool to build capacity for greater social, mental and physical functioning. This in turn results in significant improvements of wellbeing, social connectivity, and reduced symptomology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety.
The VSP program was designed by Rusty Moran, as part of his PhD candidature at Western Sydney University, with grant funding from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in 2020, and the help of Keith Payne VC. Design of the program is based on the US Naval Medical Centre San Diego surf therapy program which has been operating since 2009.
The VSP program sessions are held twice a week every Wednesday and Saturday in groups of 10 - 15 participants per session. Since the first session was held in February 2021, VSP has recorded 4,350 session attendances by 420 individuals. Sessions are facilitated by lived experience peers who are qualified surf instructors.
How does surf therapy work?
Surf therapy combines physical exercise, mindfulness, social support, skill acquisition and exposure to natural environments, each of which are separately well established in the scientific literature as having beneficial effect on mental health outcomes.
Surf therapy has been found to overcome the barrier of stigma associated with traditional mental health treatment (Caddick et al., 2015).
The therapy is simple, cost effective and enjoyable. It encourages sharing of stories and experiences by replicating the camaraderie of the military experience. The activity provides a sense of thrill, increases dopamine and adrenaline, provides a sense of mission/assignment, with subsequent feelings of accomplishment and empowerment. All these elements replicate the positive feelings associated with military service.
While learning to surf in the therapeutic environment of the ocean, participants form new social bonds, which are typically lost after leaving service. Participants learn in a supportive and non-judgemental environment, and do not need to have any prior experience. Many of our participants have reported it was not something they never thought they could do!
Most importantly, learning to surf builds self-regulation tools which are transferable to the management of depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms.
Watch our mini documentary
One of our first program graduates, “Willo” shares his personal story of how surfing with VSP has helped him overcome PTSD, and the positive impact this has had on his family.
(5 minutes 35 seconds)
Get Involved
Whether you're a veteran or first responder looking to participate, a mental health professional or academic looking to get involved in the study, or just looking to volunteer and learn about surf therapy, we'd love to hear from you.