This Autumn marks five years since The Wave Project brought its life-changing Surf Therapy programme inland for the first time - and 2025 will be the biggest year to date. The Wave in Bristol was the first inland surfing destination in the world to host the groundbreaking programme. Since the very first pilot course in 2020, more than 230 children have taken part in the 6-week Surf Therapy courses, with many continuing into The Wave Project Surf Club. By the end of November 2025, The Wave Project in Bristol will have worked with 138 young people in a single year - its biggest year to date.
The charity’s programme is for children struggling with poor mental health and emotional challenges, and the results have been powerful. Young people taking part in Surf Therapy at The Wave have shown a 23% improvement in wellbeing in just six weeks, measured using the internationally recognised World Health Organisation’s Wellbeing Index*. This shift saw average scores move from below the threshold for low wellbeing, into positive ranges - a statistically significant change that highlights the impact of time in the water, community support and the simple joy of riding waves.
And the impact goes further than the sessions themselves. Over the past five years, 183 volunteer mentors have been trained in Bristol, ensuring young people feel supported both in and out of the lake. A real sense of community has developed around the weekly Surf Therapy sessions, with many of The Wave team and regular surfers training as volunteer mentors to support the young people.
The partnership between the two organisations dates back to before The Wave was even built, with the charity supporting the original planning application. The 2020 pilot took place just after The Wave reopened following the first Covid lockdown.
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The Wave Founder. Nick Hounsfield recalls:
“The Wave was created to use the positive power of surfing to improve lives. As soon as we reopened we wanted to make sure that this purpose was central to what we were doing, and running the Surf Therapy pilot with The Wave Project was a key part of this. It proved that the programme works as effectively inland as at the coast. Since then, the stories of resilience, joy and community that continue to emerge from each cohort remind us why we built The Wave in the first place.
Julian Topham, CEO of The Wave, adds:
“We are honoured to support The Wave Project and proud that The Wave was the first inland surf facility to host their unique Surf Therapy courses. Being able to offer the programme to Bristol families who would not be able to access it on the coast is game-changing. To see it transform lives, build connections and help young people thrive is inspiring. We look forward to seeing what the next chapter holds.”
Ramon Van de Velde, CEO of The Wave Project, said:
“Our partnership with The Wave over the past five years has been about so much more than surfing. Just as every wave offers the chance to try again, grow, and find balance, our work together has created new opportunities for young people in Bristol to build confidence and resilience on land as well as in the water. Surf Therapy here, just like it does in our other 16 locations around the UK, has transformed lives, showing that the simple act of catching a wave can ripple out into lasting improvements in wellbeing, hope, and community. The Wave is a stunning place and organisation, making such a difference, and we can’t wait to see what the next 5 years will bring.”
One of the children who has been positively impacted by the Surf Therapy programme is Ava Gilbert. As her mum explains:
"When Ava was referred to The Wave Project she was suffering from crippling anxiety, she couldn’t sleep, she wouldn’t go anywhere and struggled to try anything new. Last week she took part in her school play, went to see Taylor Swift, and went surfing, stood up and caught the wave effortlessly. I couldn’t believe how far she’s come. Beginning at The Wave Project was a pivotal moment for a child that was afraid of everything. Surfing has given her confidence to try something new, and an ability to believe that she can move on from challenges.”
This winter Ava is even training to become one of the Wave Project’s volunteer Surf Mentors, so she can help other young people through Surf Therapy.
Matilda Jackson, The Wave Project Bristol Coordinator, said:
“I'm incredibly proud of everything The Wave Project has achieved in Bristol, with 2025 being our biggest year yet. Each year, many of the young people who have completed our Surf Therapy courses regularly return to take part in our Surf Club, continually supported by our brilliant volunteer surf mentors. I’m excited to keep building on our successful and longstanding partnership with The Wave and look forward to collaborating in new and exciting ways in 2026.”
At an average cost of £850 per child, the Surf Therapy offers an early, cost-effective intervention - helping young people before their needs become more severe. With more than 500,000 young people currently on NHS waiting lists, The Wave Project urgently needs support to meet rising demand. To find out more about how to help transform - and sometimes save - young lives, visit The Wave Project - Donate and Support our Cause
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