‘The Wave Project reminded him of what he is capable of: that you can thrive even when you’re worried.’
James has ADHD and dyslexia and has experienced acute anxiety at several points in his life, but starting secondary school was a particularly difficult hurdle to overcome.
‘The transition to secondary school was brutal for him,’ his mum explains. ‘Daily battles and arguments just to get out of the door were exhausting and looking back now we recognise we were creating more trauma for him.’
Over the course of the school year, James experienced both good and bad days, but things eventually came to a head upon returning to school after the Christmas holidays the following year.
‘Life was impossible; daily panic attacks at the door, and on the days he made it to school, there were evening meltdowns as James tried to decompress and regulate.’
James was dealing with Acute Emotional–Based School Avoidance (EBSA). It’s not that he didn’t want to go to school, he just couldn’t. ‘By the end of January, James wasn’t attending school and his world became very small, his confidence eroded and every day a struggle to keep him well.’
‘We sought support through many routes, but nothing was forthcoming. Lots of long waiting lists, questionnaires, strangers coming in and out of our lives fleetingly with no magic wand.’
Then during a chance conversation in the playground with the mum of a school friend, they learnt about The Wave Project. With the support of their local Project Coordinator, James was quickly signed up to a Surf Therapy course, a process that meant so much to James’s mum.
‘I really can’t explain what a difference it makes to have someone so responsive when you’re trying to help your child. It really is priceless.’
James started Surf Therapy in September 2025, and although he was a little apprehensive at his first session, his Surf Mentor put his mind at ease – and what a difference it made.
‘The smile on his face when he caught his first wave was wonderful to see, and watching him be so carefree and happy throughout the session was such a relief. Despite all he was suffering inside it gave us hope that things would get better.’
And driving home from that first session, James gave his mum the reassurance that it had all been worth it. ‘If I felt the way I feel now in the mornings then school would be a breeze.
Surf Therapy had given James something he needed, something he hadn’t found before: community, acceptance and the healing power of blue spaces. ‘It was the start of the next chapter.’
James continues to face challenges, but Surf Therapy has given him the confidence and connection to make huge strides. And these connections can pop up at the most unexpected of times.
‘Having moved schools […] he saw the face of a friend from Surf Therapy. Without that friend I’m not sure James would have made it back into school so easily. It’s not just a familiar face; it’s an unspoken connection that life isn’t always easy.’
Having completed his 6-week Surf Therapy programme, James is now a regular at Surf Club. ‘It is without a doubt the best bit of his week. He is learning new skills on the board, he has made good friends and he has a wonderful sense of belonging to a safe, inclusive community.’
And that is the power of Surf Therapy. It gives young people strength, confidence, community and friendships – and a chance to find themselves again.
‘The Wave Project reminded James of what he is capable of: that you can thrive even when you’re worried. Surfing and being in water is a huge part of his identity; it is his happy place.’
And the full circle moment we love so much, where our young surfers return to Surf Therapy as volunteer Surf Mentors themselves, is where James hopes his next steps will take him. ‘James would like to train to become a mentor himself in the future and help other children who need some support to find their happy place too.’
