Surf therapy for at-risk young people

Context

Waves for Change uses surfing as a therapeutic tool to help children who have been exposed to violence and stress. It focuses in particular on communities affected by poverty and conflict which do not receive other psychological support. In Liberia, between 60 and 80 children are cared for every day in a safe space. Children of limited means receive free meals. The organisation teaches them about the benefits of healthy, peaceful social relationships.

Waves for Change also trains mentors on issues related to psychological trauma and post-traumatic stress and, in particular, how to reduce violent outbursts and risky behaviour, build self-confidence and promote school attendance.
Beyond offering occasional sporting experiences, the ultimate objective is to establish a surf school, revenue from which will be used to fund food aid for the most disadvantaged children.

Goals

• Increase the well-being and self-confidence of at-risk young people
• Foster young people’s social inclusion and sense of community belonging
• Promote regular participation in a sporting activity
• Train coaches in the methodologies developed by Waves for Change

Activities

• Daily surf club in Liberia for about 40 young people aged 9 to 20 (2018)
• Surf therapy sessions in Liberia for some 60 children who have been exposed to violence and stress (2018)
• 75% of the young beneficiaries of the programme reported an improvement in their well-being and educational attainment
• Training mentors on issues related to post-traumatic stress and psychological trauma

Watch Tim Conibear’s TEDx Talk about surf therapy
Founder of Waves for Change (source : TEDxCapeTownSalon)

Impacts

• Encouraging the personal development of young people suffering from post-traumatic stress 
• Reduction of crime rates in communities
• Food aid provided to the most disadvantaged children
• Training local coaches in the surf therapy approach developed by Waves for Change

Funding

• Project in South Africa supported by the Agence Française de Développement

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Crédit photos : @WavesForChange