From Battlefield to Beach: Warriors Find Solace on the Surfboard

According to their website, WSF uses the power of the ocean to empower veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other challenges.

WSF offers free surf therapy programs to Veterans and active service members. Through individualized and group lessons, participants experience the exhilaration of catching a wave while building confidence, camaraderie, and coping skills. According to the National Library of Health Medicine, surfing provides not only physical benefits like exercise and improved balance but also mental benefits like stress reduction and a sense of accomplishment.

“We adapt to serve the Veteran,” said Stephanie Dasher, Warrior Surf Foundation executive director. “We use a mixture of evolutionary psychology, positive psychology, and resiliency techniques to help people overcome PTSD and anxiety. We really want to equip them with the skills to positively deal with their experiences from their military service.”

WSF recognizes that healing goes beyond the waves. They offer a holistic approach through yoga, wellness coaching, and fostering a strong community among Veterans. In line with the Veteran Affairs Whole Health Program, yoga programs like the WSF help manage stress and anxiety while promoting mindfulness and self-awareness. Wellness coaching provides additional support for individual needs, and the sense of community created by WSF events and activities helps Veterans combat feelings of isolation and build lasting connections. 

Evidence-based therapy like yoga and other wellness alternatives are supported by the Department of Veteran Affairs and yoga itself has been recommended by the VA as a first line treatment for acute and chronic lower back pains.

“Along with the surfing lessons, our program requires the Veteran to attend wellness coaching sessions,” Dasher said. “These sessions accompanied with yoga exercises help form a complete routine. Each section of the program mirrors the other, for example you may fail at something during surf training and get frustrated, but you can fall back on your wellness and yoga exercises and learn to come back from that failure and frustration.” 

The WSF have served hundreds of local Charleston Veterans and their families and is part of the Ralph H. Johnson Health Care System’s Whole Health Program for alternatives in evidence-bases therapy. 

“We freely encourage those that have graduated from our course to become a part of our community and pay it forward to other Veterans that may still need help,” Dasher said. “Once you graduate, you’re obviously not just kicked to the curb. We love to have Veterans who keep participating with us. We love to see alumni vets at our Urban Surf and yoga classes. Becoming a Peer Mentor is also an option if someone would like to help other Veterans who could be going through the same issues they did.”

The Warrior Surf Foundation relies on donations and volunteers to continue their life-changing work. Individuals can support WSF by donating, participating in fundraising events, or volunteering their time and skills. By getting involved, you can help ensure that Veterans have access to the resources they need to overcome challenges and live fulfilling lives.

“Our exercises are mental as well as physical,” Dasher said. “We help them get into a space where they can be alone in their thoughts, which for a lot of Veterans can be difficult. Maintaining this calm is a skill and with it brings a sort of presence and mindfulness that can have a positive impact on anyone’s daily life.”

For more information on the Warrior Surf Foundation, visit their website at https://www.warriorsurf.org/.