Surf Therapy - surfing to overcome the big stuff

Big challenges require big waves. If we want to process life’s “big stuff,” we must immerse ourselves in the ocean and face its raw power.

For some, surfing is about thrill-seeking—a test of strength and skill against the waves. For others, it’s a terrifying but transformative challenge, pushing you beyond your comfort zone. In confronting that fear, you gain wisdom, resilience, and self-respect. Surfing teaches patience, focus, and the ability to wait for the next wave—a metaphor for life itself.

There’s a reason people love walking along the beach: the ocean invites reflection. It’s no surprise that ocean therapy and surf-based programs are growing in popularity. Even educational institutions now combine adventure courses with language learning. Activities that provide cognitive stimulation alongside natural dopamine hits, like surfing, help students process information differently. Learning in a relaxed, engaged state makes lessons stick, while skills gained on the water are carried into everyday life.

Surfing, ocean therapy, art therapy, meditation, and yoga all share a similar benefit: they reconnect you with your body and mind. I’ve experienced this firsthand, and the impact is profound. Surfing is a dance with physics—balancing the force of gravity against the advancing wave. Out in big waves, you feel tiny, vulnerable, and completely out of equilibrium. But in that state, you are transported into the present. Your focus shifts from anxiety, depression, or life’s problems to the moment, the wave beneath you.

Surf therapy is also a recognized approach for mental health support. In the UK, the National Health Service acknowledges it as an effective therapy for youths at risk of mental illness, often guided by trained mental health practitioners or mentors. If you’re curious, many organizations offer surf therapy programs online that can give you a taste of this transformative practice.

Water has always been central to my life. With a family of surf lifesavers and water safety educators, the ocean isn’t just recreation—it’s a way of living. Whether it’s teaching nippers, fishing off Moreton Bay, or simply being at the beach, the ocean is one of my greatest healers.

Yet despite my lifelong connection to the water, I haven’t overcome my fear of the deep ocean. Surfing still feels daunting; the waves are complex, unpredictable, and challenging. Growing up in the Mediterranean, where big waves were rare and swimming education limited, left me with desire but little skill.

That’s why surfing is on my bucket list. First, I must become a stronger, more confident swimmer. After that, the ocean will be waiting. I know one thing for sure: stepping into what feels uncomfortable is a sure path to resilience, courage, and self-confidence.

Tips for families

• Take the time to go near the ocean or a lake

• Do some physical activity near water

• Meditate or do some yoga on the beach

• Practice some sort of art

• Engage in art therapy

• Find the courage to do some extreme sport

• Try doing something you’re not familiar with

• Practice mindfulness and live in the present

• Enjoy the PROCESS!