Special Focus Issue 
Introduction to the Special Issue on Surf Therapy Around the GlobeGregor V. Sarkisian, Kristien H. Walter, Giovanni Martinez, & Philip B. Ward
Guest Editors
This Special Issue on Surf Therapy Around the Globe in the Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice is devoted to advancing the science and practice of surf therapy for diverse populations around the world. This introductory article provides a framework for this Special Issue.
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Surf Therapy: A Scoping Review of the Qualitative and Quantitative Research EvidenceElizabeth Benninger, Chloe Curtis, Gregor V. Sarkisian, Carly M. Rogers, Kailey Bender, & Megan Comer
Peer Reviewed
This research provides a scoping review of academic literature focused on surf therapy. The objectives of the research are; (1) to gain a better understanding of the global use of surf therapy and its physical, psychological and social benefits, (2) to identify intervention and research gaps related to surf therapy, (3) to provide recommendations for future surf therapy research, (4) to use the evidence to inform best practices in the field.
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Coalition Building in Surf Therapy: A Case Study on Collective ImpactMatthew Mattila
Peer Reviewed
This article explores the experience of the surf therapy sector developing a coalition using the collective impact framework. Several dozen surf therapy programs and sector supporters now meet annually to discuss progress and collaborate on shared sector goals after years of programs working independently and even viewing one another as competitors.
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“When I was surfing with those guys I was surfing with family.” A Grounded Exploration of Program Theory within the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation Surf Therapy InterventionJamie Marshall, Brendon Ferrier, Philip B. Ward, & Russell Martindale
Peer Reviewed
The current study utilized a pragmatic qualitative approach to explore theoretical mediators of the outcomes of Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation (JMMF) surf therapy intervention. JMMF is a California (USA)-based program supporting military veterans facing mental and physical health challenges.
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Surfing and the Senses: Using Body Mapping to Understand the Embodied and Therapeutic Experiences of Young Surfers with AutismEaskey Britton, Gesche Kindermann, & Caitriona Carlin
Peer Reviewed
This paper introduces the ways in which embodied and creative work in nature can empower young people with mental health difficulties, in particular Autism. The study explores embodied experiences and the use of a creative, participatory approach to evaluating a surf therapy intervention.
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Effects of PTSD and MDD Comorbidity on Psychological Changes during Surf Therapy Sessions for Active Duty Service MembersNicholas P. Otis, Kristen H. Walter, Lisa H. Glassman, Travis N. Ray, Betty Michalewicz-Kragh, & Cynthia J. Thomsen
Peer Reviewed
This study compared changes in depression/anxiety and positive affect during surf therapy sessions between active duty service members with comorbid PTSD and MDD and those with either disorder alone. The study applied DSM-5 criteria to baseline self-report measures to assign probable disorder status, and used a longitudinal design involving repeated measurements to assess outcomes within 6 weekly sessions.
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Emerging Hope: Outcomes of a One-Day Surf Therapy Program with Youth At-PromiseGregor V. Sarkisian, Chloe Curtis, & Carly M. Rogers
Peer Reviewed
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefits of participation in a one-day surf therapy program among youth at-promise. Participants (N=152) were predominantly Hispanic or Latino (71%), followed by Black or African American (18%), 57% were Female, and age ranged from 6 to 19 years. Participant drawings were rated to evaluate program process. The program outcome was evaluated through an observational one-group pretest-posttest follow-up design using the Children’s Hope Scale.
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Surf.Art in Portugal: Daring, Accomplishing and Transforming Portuguese Youth and Their CommunitiesPaulo Gomes, Nuno Fazenda, Diego Gomez-Baya, Mary Elizabeth Rauktis, & Grace Provost
Peer Reviewed
This manuscript reports the implementation and the six-year outcomes of the SURF.ART program, a youth development intervention developed by Pressley Ridge Portugal. The program has multiple components including a “life project”, support for crises, psychoeducational workshops, engagement with parents and surfing instruction and practice for youth.
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The Wave Project: Evidencing Surf Therapy for Young People in the UKHannah Devine-Wright & Cath Godfrey
Peer Reviewed
The Wave Project is a UK-wide surf therapy charity which provides vulnerable young people aged 8-21 with an opportunity to surf once a week for six weeks. At The Wave Project, clients ‘do’ surfing with the one-to-one assistance of a volunteer overseen by a surf coordinator. After completing The Wave Project clients are invited to become members of a follow-on Surf Club staffed by volunteers or become a Wave Project volunteer themselves.
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Positive Effects of Surfing on Psychological Wellbeing for Children with Developmental DifficultiesHanneke van Ewijk, Marjolein Wansink-Lokerman, Andreas Lamerz, & Suzanne van den Broek
Peer Reviewed
Children with developmental disorders or disabilities often experience a wide range of difficulties and reduced quality of life. Surfing is gaining popularity as a sport that can promote psychological well-being, but research is still scarce. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of surfing on the quality of life of children with developmental difficulties.
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More than Surfing: Inclusive Surf Therapy Informed by the Voices of South African Children with Autism Spectrum DisorderNicci van der Merwe & Paula Yarrow
Peer Reviewed
The article provides the results, as well as policy and practice implications of an exploratory study on the feasibility and unique (unintended) benefits of surf therapy for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), in a developing world context. The main aim of the study was to understand if and how Waves for Change (W4C), a South-African-based non-government organisation’s existing surf therapy programme for neuro-typical children can be adapted to be more inclusive and meet the needs of neuro-diverse children.
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Intervention Mapping: Using Theory and Evidence to Inform the Ocean Mind Surf Therapy Program for Improving Youth Mental HealthLisa Olive, Rachael Parker, Madeleine Dober, Cameron Drake, Michael Keith, & Rohan Telford
Peer Reviewed
This study aims to describe the intervention mapping protocol and apply it to the development and refinement of a novel surf therapy intervention, Ocean Mind. The Ocean Mind program combines psychoeducation, water safety and learn-to-surf activities with the overall program objective to improve mental health among child and adolescent participants.
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Surf Therapy Practice, Research, and Coalition Building: Future DirectionsKristen H. Walter, Gregor V. Sarkisian, Giovanni Martinez, & Philip B. Ward
Guest Editors
Articles in this Special Issue of the Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice on Surf Therapy Around the Globe have focused on theory development, practice considerations, empirical research, and coalition building in order to advance the field of surf therapy. In this concluding article, the Guest Editors highlight the ways in which the collective work in this Special Issue expands on the current literature in terms of theory, as well as processes and outcomes for different programs across a variety of populations across the globe.
Read more...The Global Journal is very pleased to present this special issue on Surf Therapy under the leadership of our guest editors: Gregor Sarkisian, Kristen Walter, Giovanni Martinez, and Philip Ward.
A mini-documentary describing the Warrior Surf Foundation
We believe in the healing power of the ocean, and the benefits of Surf Therapy for Veterans. This short film is meant to shine a light on the many benefits that surfing provides to the Veterans we serve.
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The video is called Autism is my Superpower as this is a slogan the children in the program relate to and use to celebrate their unique talents and interests, and to celebrate the lens they have on the world. The video follows the stories of two children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), one boy and one girl, at home, in school and at the beach attending surf therapy. It depicts the isolation that many children on the spectrum experience in under-served communities that we work with.
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The Surf Project is a Dutch non-profit organisation, which provides structured surfing lessons for children with Down syndrome, ASD and ADHD. In this video, we introduce the Surf Project and give a short overview of the setup and key aspects of the program.
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Directed by Hélio Valentim, the SURF.ART film - No Mar Somos Todos Iguais - is a celebration of the journey taken by the 14 small surfers (from Bairro da Cruz Vermelha, Cascais municipality, for 6 months with the surfing mentors of the project, Nuno Fazenda and Paulo Canas, and a group of exceptional people and entities (team, partners, volunteers, families and teachers) who believe that all children have potential.
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Based on a work at www.gjcpp.org. 
