Pilot Program Evaluation

We believe evaluation is an integral aspect of providing therapy that benefits participants and fulfils our mission as a mental health not-for-profit.

Our youth mental health pilot program occurred in 2022. We utilised standardised evaluation measures to assess the effectiveness of this program.

We saw an increase in wellbeing scores and a decrease in psychological distress scores. Feedback from participants, parents and teachers was positive.

“I made new friends and helped my mental health” – Participant.

“I enjoyed being able to have fun without being judged” – Participant.

“Students appeared happier, were interacting with others more positively. Students expressed to me that they were feeling better after the program. I overheard students giving MH advice to friends using strategies they learnt in the program e.g. mindfulness, towards moves etc” – Teacher.

“xx expressed feeling accepted and cared about. He said that the facilitators were really nice to him, were interested in him & what he had to say. He said he felt like he could trust the facilitators & felt like he could talk to them, unlike his previous experiences of being in a therapeutic environment. He loved being outside and being able to move around at the same time as talking about his mental health. This is really important because he has ADHD & struggles to sit still. This program has definitely made him feel more confident and better about himself” – Parent/Participant.

We are committed to furthering our knowledge in the field of surf and ocean therapy by maintaining our evaluation processes for all programs and continuing our partnership with the International Surf therapy Organisation (ISTO).

Pilot Program Study

So, What is Surf Therapy?

“Surf therapy is a method of intervention that combines surf instruction/surfing and structured individual and/or group activities to promote psychological, physical and psychosocial well-being” (Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice). Surf therapy is an exciting area of therapeutic intervention that has a growing body of evidence for its effectiveness with a range mental health difficulties such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, trauma and neurodiversity.

Why is ocean time so therapeutic?

On a neurochemical level, sea water contains minerals that have a positive effect on various systems within our body such as our nervous, immune, and respiratory, to name a few. When we add the element of engaging in an activity such as surfing in the ocean there are further benefits. Surfing requires our attention and focus, this creates a mindful head space where we are fully present, a place where we can have a break from our thoughts and worries on the land, ultimately having an anxiety reducing effect. The sensory element of surfing is a vessel for us to regulate our nervous system, become more aware of our internal bodily environment and thus more connected to ourselves. The physical aspects of surfing, like any other sport, increases our “happy hormones” which assists with mood, sleep, and cognitive functions. Lastly, if surfing with friends, a good chance for social connection, and if alone, a chance for humble solidarity with mother earth.

To explore some of the evidence-based research surrounding surf and ocean therapy have a look at the links below.

What does it mean to be in a state of flow?

It’s kind of like a stillness of the mind. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean we sit down somewhere with our eyes closed; we can have stillness of the mind combined with action. A common way to describe flow state is when we are “in the zone”. It’s when we are totally present and engaged in an activity that we really enjoy, we almost feel totally immersed in that activity with no awareness of anything else around us, where time seems almost non-existent. It also occurs when our skills meet the challenge of the task. Flow state is a space away from thoughts about past, future, achieving, pressure, and self-doubt. It’s a place where our nervous system is calm, and it’s a good place to be for a while each day.