Jasmine Bennett, North Devon Project Coordinator, shares a glimpse into a recent Surf Club session:

“This morning we had a Surf Club session in Croyde. This is our ongoing continued provision for young people who have completed a six week Surf Therapy course and want to continue accessing the benefits of getting in the ocean and riding waves with us.

“Today we had 9 surfers ranging from age 10-18. Their needs included physical disabilities, learning difficulties and mental health struggles. Some of the young people in our group have additional behavioural needs, some are looked after children and some come from households on lower incomes. For this group, without the support of a charity like ours, there would be lots of barriers to going surfing.

“The volunteers in our team ranged from a retired occupational therapist to a bus driver, someone retired from the RAF to a school teacher, a charity administrator to a business owner. What they have in common is that they all love the ocean too, they care about young people’s mental health and they are willing to get stuck in and help.

“Some of the young people arrived feeling worried about getting too cold. Some had had a tricky start to the morning and weren’t feeling enthusiastic for surfing.

“Everyone was welcomed at our partner surf school by our wonderful surf instructor and the local wave project coordinator (me!), and provided with all of the equipment they would need for the session.

“With the support of the surf mentors and our brilliant partner surf school, everyone was supported so that their needs could be met. One young person wore two wetsuits to stay warm (it works!), and another wore gloves despite the sunshine. One of our young people used one of our amazing beach wheelchairs for each access on the sand. One of the young people was gently encouraged to give it a go, even though they weren’t feeling it.

By the end of the session, everyone was grinning.

“We saw some brilliant wipeouts (of course!) but I also watched young people get to their feet who find it really challenging. Saw people turning their board along the white water, and understanding the mechanics to do that. Saw young people paddling back out again unassisted – really building the skills to surf independently in the future. Saw young people catching unbroken waves and navigating steering around their peers. Saw young people listening intently to feedback from our brilliant surf instructor, and even being able to apply it immediately.

“I saw young people taking a break in the warm shallow water to rest and chat with their surf mentor, and enjoy the surroundings of being at the coast and in the sunshine.

“Everyone left our session having had a brilliant time, feeling proud of themselves – volunteers and surfers alike. I am so grateful to get to be a tiny piece of the brilliant Surf Therapy, Surf Club and Adaptive Surfing sessions that happen at The Wave Project.”