AN ocean therapy charity has called for surfing and other watersports to be prescribed by GPs to help Islanders with their physical and mental health.
Max Wiltshire, co-founder of Healing Waves, said that surfing could change a person’s brain chemistry because, like other forms of exercise, it is known to trigger the release of adrenaline, endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin.
His charity gives Islanders, no matter their physical and/or neurological disability, the chance to enjoy the sea through a variety of adapted watercraft.
Mr Wiltshire’s comments come after academics from University College London announced that they would conduct a study in which 600 young people on NHS mental-health trust waiting lists would be ‘socially prescribed’ physical activities, including surfing, with the aim of improving their physical and mental wellbeing.
‘The goal of surf therapy is not to teach people to be surfers. It’s to get them to use surfing to change their brain chemistry,’ Mr Wiltshire said.
‘It allows a safe space where risk can be taken through a natural form of adventurous play. We know that spending time in nature leads to an improvement in mental health and emotional regulation for children. So what better place than in the ocean and surfing? Blue space and green views can increase self-esteem, life satisfaction and happiness; it can lower depression, anxiety and loneliness.
‘A lot is happening when you’re surfing. We stand on the beach and get pumped up, and all kinds of chemicals rush through our brains. Different ones are in play when we are paddling out or when riding a wave to the beach.
‘Our sessions ultimately force our athletes into a calming space, where they learn patience when waiting for a wave, resilience when trying to stand; they learn that they can fall down and get back up again by themselves or through the support of others. This then transfers into their everyday outlook on life.’
Mr Wiltshire explained that the charity did not currently receive referrals from GPs, but added that it was something they had been trying to raise awareness of ‘for some time’.
He continued: ‘In the UK, many people struggling with their mental health are being given social prescriptions and it has taken a huge step forward. During lockdown in the UK, recognised surf therapy groups were allowed to continue, as the government recognised the sport’s clear benefits to people. We have all this beginning to happen and it would be great if Jersey would follow suit.’
Mr Wiltshire added that Healing Waves would be open to getting involved in any scheme to start prescribing surfing to patients.
‘We held sessions with people from the Recovery College [which uses education to help Islanders overcome mental-health difficulties] this summer and that’s the closest we have come to social prescriptions. We had a number of self-referrals off the back of it and I think that is testament to the benefit surfing and the ocean brings,’ he said.
‘It can be hard to put into words just how beneficial the sea can be for some people. When people come down and see the impact it has on our athletes, or even those just passing by, we get so many comments on how much of an impact it is having and how much it means to those getting involved.’
