You might wonder why I wanted Surfing to be part of Blu Hour Retreat? Except of the obvious reason that surfing is my passion, there are many other benefits of surfing you might not have heard about yet.
Did you know that surfing is used as a treatment for autism and PTSD, as well as anxiety, depression and chronic health issues? It has finally made its way to New York, Biarritz (France) and Australia after having success in California over the past few decades. The benefits of surfing have made it an unexpected possibility for those who don’t find solutions in traditional therapy.
A group of Biarritz doctors are literally prescribing watersports for chronic health issues like back pain. The program entails patients of doing four months of surfing, paddleboarding and other lower intensity ocean activities. They attribute these results to the vitamin D intake, improved blood flow, building core and extremity strength.
Aside from the physical benefits of surfing, there are psychological benefits as well. Surfing is physical exertion along with intense focus, which often producse flow states which flood the brain with neurochemicals like anandamide and serotonin, the same substances found in antidepressants. Additional to that, it is a sport in which everything is about giving up control and surrendering to the ocean. Surfing makes you relax and focus on the actual moment. It increases feelings of tranquility and calmness more than other athletic activities.
There are different institutions in California which take advantage of the surfing benefits. They bring war veterans surfing, like the organization Operation Amped. Their mission is to share the “stoke” of the surfing community and the healing potential of surfing with seriously ill, injured, or disabled U.S. military veterans and their families.
Want to check it out for yourself? Go to Netflix and watch a documentary called Resurface about Operation Surf. It shows the benefits of surfing in a captivating way. One of my favorite documentary.
Also in California, there is a non-profit organization called Surfers Healing. The organization provides surf camps for autistic children. Operating since 2000, Surfers Healing puts on day camps across the U.S.A. It gives over 4,500 kids a year the opportunity to get in the water and learn to surf. These camps offer children the relief and freedom from the stress they face on land.
As you might not see any resemblance between a war veteran, an autistic kid and yourself – fair point! – there is an organization in Australia called One Wave. They are a non profit surf community, tackling depression, anxiety and the stress of daily life with a simple recipe – saltwater, surfing and fluro clothing.
Hopefully it inspires you as much as it inspires us.
why I chose Surfing to be a part of the Retreat, if it isn’t answered properly yet. I experienced myself, that surfing is able to change your mood and how you approach life in just one session. Surfing offers you relief of daily stress. Surfing makes you discover your inner child. So what could be better than experience the “stoke” of surfing, have adrenaline pumping through your body before you chase your dreams in our empowerment workshop. Come join us for your Blu Hour Retreat!
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