A Proven Approach to Veteran Well-Being
At Surf Brigade Foundation, we believe that healing doesn't always happen in a clinic—it can happen on a surfboard, with the ocean as a partner. In our most recent Northwest Florida-based surf therapy program, we collaborated with a researcher from the University of Groningen, one of the world’s top 100 universities, to scientifically evaluate the impact of our approach.
The results? Clear and powerful. The study confirmed that participants experienced significant increases in both mental well-being and self-efficacy from the beginning to the end of the program. This academic validation reinforces what we already knew through experience: surf therapy works.
Why Surf Therapy?
Not every veteran responds to traditional forms of therapy. While there are many resources and benefits available, they don’t always meet the diverse and evolving needs of those who’ve served. Surf therapy is different. It’s immersive, physical, emotionally grounding—and for many veterans, it resonates in a way other treatments do not.
But because it's still an emerging field, surf therapy isn’t widely accessible. That’s where organizations like Surf Brigade Foundation step in—to bridge the gap and make sure this life-changing experience remains available to the veterans who need it most.
Our Three Pillars: Purpose, Narrative, and Community
What sets Surf Brigade apart is our commitment to an evidence-based model rooted in three powerful pillars:
1. Purpose
We help veterans reconnect with a sense of mission—on the waves and in life. Through consistent challenges and achievable goals in the surf, participants rediscover motivation and direction.
2. Narrative
Surfing helps veterans reshape their personal stories. Through guided reflection, they begin to rewrite their experiences in a way that fosters healing, pride, and resilience.
3. Community
No one heals alone. Surf Brigade fosters deep peer connections and shared experience. Veterans surf side-by-side, forming bonds that last long after the program ends.
Moving Forward
Thanks to the University of Groningen’s collaboration, we now have academic confirmation of the transformational power of our approach. But our mission doesn’t stop here. We’re committed to expanding access, raising awareness, and building momentum—so that more veterans can discover the healing power of the ocean, one wave at a time.
If you’d like to learn more, support our programs, or refer a veteran, visit our website, surf brigade.com. Together, we can continue to make surf therapy a lasting, meaningful option for those who’ve served.