Surf Therapy Celebration Evening Success Cornwall
Our Celebration Evening at the Eden Project on Saturday, 9 November 2024 was an incredible night honouring the dedication, passion and resilience of everyone involved in The Wave Project.
We gathered to celebrate the achievements of some truly inspiring individuals – our nominees – each representing the heart and soul of The Wave Project.
Celebrating Our Surfers
Our first award was dedicated to our surfers, the young people who embrace new challenges in and out of the water. After joining our Surf Therapy programme at our Bristol project location, Ava Gilbert became a confident surfer and now regularly participates in our Surf Club. Ava’s journey of resilience and confidence is a reminder of the positive impact that surfing and community can have on personal wellbeing.
Bristol’s Project Assistant, Matilda said:
“Our Surf Club member Ava, has made outstanding progress this year at The Wave Project Bristol. After completing our Surf Therapy course last summer, Ava has been a regular face at our Surf Club, and is now confidently riding green waves consistently, effortlessly, and completely unaided, always with a huge smile on her face. Her confidence has improved dramatically, and she has even been down to Cornwall to take the rest of her family surfing this year!”
Honouring Our Volunteers
The evening also celebrated the volunteers who give so much to make The Wave Project possible. Sue Hilsdon from North Devon helped establish our first student placements with the University of the West of England, providing hands-on experience for occupational therapy students and adding a new dimension to our support network.
Jaz, our North Devon Project Coordinator said:
“Sue has volunteered at numerous sessions over many years, and this year took on an extra challenge by connecting up The Wave Project and the University of the West of England for the first time. As a semi-retired Occupational Therapist with years of professional experience under her belt, Sue recognised the need for diverse placements for occupational therapists in training, and noticed an opportunity for The Wave Project to become a training placement, meaning that both organisations could benefit. Whilst many occupational therapy students complete their placements in more traditional settings (think hospital wards!)… thanks to Sue’s vision and contacts we were able to step up and officially become a placement provider for the first time. Not only did Sue have this fantastic idea and the contacts to get us there, she also acted as the long-arm supervisor for the two Occupational Therapy students throughout their placement, offering support and guidance. This means she took on the role of being their mentor, working closely with us to ensure that they had varied learning opportunities during the 10 week placement. Both students supported a plethora of Surf Therapy, Surf Club and Adaptive sessions, as well as delivering fundraising and advocacy events and have been a huge asset to the North Devon project this year. They also passed their final assessments with flying colours, and both now have expressed an interest in working professionally with children and young people in the future.
“We cannot express how much work went in on Sue’s part to making this a successful project for all parties, and we are so grateful to her for all of her behind the scenes work and energy. Alongside all of this, Sue continued to volunteer at our sessions herself, always quietly encouraging young people and adaptive surfers. We are so grateful for Sue’s amazing professional approach and her huge commitment to our project. Thank you Sue!”
Recognising Our Young Volunteers
Since joining, Harry Smyth from Northern Ireland has evolved from a participant to a young mentor, sharing empathy and understanding with new surfers.
Carla, our Northern Ireland Project Coordinator, said:
“Harry’s journey with The Wave Project since 2019 is a powerful testament to resilience, dedication, and the profound impact of Surf Therapy, safe spaces and volunteering.
“Harry joined our Surf Therapy programme in 2019 during a profoundly difficult time, following the tragic loss of his father in a car accident. Despite the personal challenges he faced alongside his younger sister Ellie and Mum Caroline, Harry embraced our 6-week programme with remarkable courage and determination. His progress through the programme was amazing, his attitude was always positive and he embodied resilience and gratitude, he became quite the beacon of hope for others on that programme (mentors and clients alike).
Having successfully completed our surf therapy programme and become an avid member of our surf club for the subsequent few years, Harry’s commitment deepened. He has more recently taken on the role of a young mentor with incredible enthusiasm and dedication. In this capacity, Harry supports and inspires other young surfers, guiding them through their own journeys with the same care and empathy that he received. Harry’s relationship with his mentor Jeff has been such a special one. Jeff was perhaps a male figure in Harry’s life that he needed at that time, and Harry was what Jeff needed too. 5 years on and Jeff is still close with Harry and his family, taking him out for surfs, day-tripping for surfs to Donegal and generally pushing him to his potential. We couldn’t hope for more from a mentor and young surfer story!
“Beyond his mentoring role, Harry has expanded his involvement by undertaking work experience and summer employment with our partner surf school Long Line Surf School. His commitment to these roles, coupled with his hardworking attitude, emphasises his brilliant character and passion for helping others. To support this, his fundraising endeavours for the Air Ambulance, who attended the scene of his father’s accident, are nothing short of incredible. To date as a family they have raised over £100,000. What an outstanding achievement we can all agree.
“Harry’s contributions go beyond his personal achievements. As a young mentor, he ensures that our young participants feel safe, supported, and engaged. His infectious enthusiasm and dedication make every session enjoyable and impactful for the young people involved, despite a seriously hectic extracurricular schedule of his own. Having been through our programme, he can offer empathy and understanding to the anxieties a young person may be feeling. He is a remarkable young man, who makes everyone who knows him, brim with pride. His journey and dedication are an inspiration to us all. As an add on – watch out for this young man on your rugby screens in the future, currently only 15 and playing for Ulster Rugby U-17 team… there is no stopping him!”
Embodies the Spirit of The Wave Project
This award shines a spotlight on the supporters who continue to stand by us year after year, not only helping raise essential funds but also championing our cause and spreading awareness of the work we do.
We honour Pam and her family for their incredible support through the annual “Jess Memorial Surf Competition.” Polzeath Project Coordinator, Esme, shared these heartfelt words about the event:
“The Solley family have supported The Wave Project since 2017. Every year, Pam and Alan organise an incredible surf memorial contest in memory of Jess, their daughter, who had a deep love for the ocean and surfing. Held each September, the ‘Jess Memorial Competition’ has become a beloved event, with all proceeds supporting The Wave Project’s work in Polzeath – a connection very close to their hearts.
“The event has grown each year and brings together the community to honour Jess and uplift our Polzeath Project. It’s always so inspiring to see Pam’s dedication in organising it all, making it one of the most anticipated days on our calendar. We are beyond grateful, and the incredible £20,000 they’ve raised over the years has directly supported our efforts to provide surf therapy for local young people.”
Championing Adaptive Surfers
Our final award celebrated the inspiring adaptive surfers who have found a sense of freedom on the waves. Florence Ackroyd, surfing with both Yorkshire and Devon hubs, was recognised for her courage and infectious joy, lifting the spirits of everyone around her.
Our Project Coordinator for Scarborough, Matt, describes Florence’s Journey with The Wave Project:
“Florence has been surfing with both the Yorkshire and Devon adaptive hubs for 2 years now. We’ve all had the pleasure of not only sharing a few waves with her but also in getting to know their wonderful family and seeing/hearing first-hand how positive surfing has become in all their lives. I’ve met and surfed with so many people over the years all around the world but I’ve yet to meet anyone else who’s smile can lift a mood so quickly in those around them. So nominated Florence for not only her stoke but for the constant wake up call she gives us when we think we’re having a down day! Resilience personified”