Groundswell Scotland is a surf therapy non-profit focused on trauma recovery through connection to the ocean, nature, and community. Their programs promote mental and physical wellbeing, especially for women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. With support from the University of Edinburgh’s Community Grants scheme, they’ve successfully provided therapeutic surf experiences that foster healing, empowerment, and personal growth. The initiative has led to lasting impacts such as increased confidence, reduced reliance on medication, and new employment opportunities. Groundswell is expanding its offerings through partnerships and ongoing funding efforts.

In a project developed by The Groundswell Comnmunity, the integration of somatic practices and community support assisted women who have experienced trauma. This published study found that participants showed significant improvements in body acceptance, emotional regulation, and resilience following the program. These findings suggest that surf therapy can be an effective, holistic approach to healing for at-risk women, promoting both physical and psychological well-being through engagement with nature and community

Researchers at the University of Southern California are exploring how surfing might alleviate chronic pain. Inspired by his own experience with chronic pelvic pain relief through surfing, Associate Professor Jason Kutch leads a multidisciplinary team investigating the neurological effects of surf therapy. The study involves scanning participants' brains before and after surfing sessions to assess changes in neural signaling. Additionally, the team is developing a virtual reality (VR) surfing experience that simulates the physical and sensory aspects of surfing, aiming to make the therapeutic benefits more accessible to those unable to surf in the ocean. This innovative approach seeks to understand and harness the potential of surfing as a holistic treatment for chronic pain.

In the coastal town of Half Moon Bay, California, Kelsey Ellis has found a way to merge her love of surfing with her calling to help others heal. She is the founder of Waves of Grief Collective™and co-founder of Ocean Flow Collective™, two communities of surf therapy practitioners and healers working to reduce the isolation and loneliness that so often accompany grief and trauma. After losing her twin sister to COVID, Kelsey transformed her own sorrow into a powerful force for good—creating surf therapy programs for women affected by human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, and loss. Her journey is one of resilience, heart, and impact. In National Geographic’s Impact series, the Surf Sisters documentary shows how for Kelsey, the ocean is a profound place of healing and transformation, and has inspired in her, a commitment to help others navigate their own sense of grief and loss.