Finding balance Surf therapy transforming young lives

This autumn marks five years since The Wave Project brought its life-changing Surf Therapy programme inland for the first time in Bristol - and 2025 will be the biggest year to date. We take a look at how the programme transforms lives

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THE Wave in Bristol was the first inland surfing destination in the world to host the groundbreaking The Wave Project surf therapy programme - and the results have been powerful.

Since the first pilot course in 2020, more than 230 children have taken part in the six-week Surf Therapy courses, with many continuing into The Wave Project Surf Club.

By the end of next month, The Wave Project will have worked with 138 young people in a single year - its biggest year to date.

The charity's programme is for children struggling with poor mental health and emotional challenges.

Young people taking part in Surf Therapy at The Wave have shown a 23% improvement in wellbeing in just six weeks, measured using the internationally recognised World Health Organisation’s Wellbeing Index. This shift saw average scores move from below the threshold for low wellbeing, into positive ranges - a statistically significant change that highlights the impact of time in the water, community support and the simple joy of riding waves.