Surf Therapy: A Method Of Physical And Mental Well-being.

Have you heard of surf therapy? This new method of well-being is gaining more and more followers among ocean lovers. Water sports in contact with nature are good for the body and mind. We invite you to discover this feel-good practice that will make you want to catch a wave.

What is surf therapy?

Surf therapy is a method of well-being that aims to treat physical and psychological disorders through the practice of various water sports: surfing, of course, but also bodyboarding, stand up paddleboarding, and longe-côte or aquatic walking.

This concept is said to have emerged in the United States in the 1970s to help Vietnam veterans forget the atrocities of war by surfing.

Fifty years later, this method is still relevant and has inspired Dr. Guillaume Barucq to write the book "Surf thérapie. Se soigner au contact de l'océan" (published by Surf Prévention). In it, this general practitioner explains that "when we are in the water, we return to our primal conditions".

Who is this method for?

Contrary to what one might think when seeing surfers jumping into the water on the beaches of the Basque Country or Hawaii, water sports are not reserved for young people in good shape.

Nowadays, surfing and other board sports such as stand-up paddleboarding and bodyboarding are for all ages and all audiences, including people with disabilities thanks to the development of adaptive surfing (see website below).

Surf therapy is therefore for both disabled and able-bodied individuals, especially since the goal of this method is not just to learn how to surf! Specialized schools like Panasea in Biarritz primarily help their students reconnect with the ocean to better enjoy its benefits on the body and mind.

What are the benefits of surf therapy for the mind?

For people who suffer from overwork, burnout, or other forms of stress, surf therapy is a good way to relieve their anxieties and boost their morale.

According to the WHO, physical activity improves mental health, quality of life, and well-being. By reconnecting practitioners with nature and the present moment, the ocean is a fantastic playground to enjoy the benefits of sports.

Aquatic sports classes are also moments of conviviality where one can socialize in small groups. They help break social isolation in a friendly and playful environment.

What are the benefits of surf therapy for the body?

Surfing also has the advantage of engaging the entire body in movement. In this water sport, the arms are particularly involved, which allows for muscle building or rebuilding, for example during recovery.

The practice of water sports also engages the deep muscles that support the spine. Whether lying down or standing on the board, core strength in the abdominal muscles is essential for maintaining balance and avoiding lower back pain.

Surf therapy is a true method of getting back in shape, especially since each session starts with warm-up exercises and ends with stretching.

Today, the interest in this method is officially recognized by doctors: surf therapy can be practiced as part of a prescribed exercise program for individuals suffering from chronic illnesses.

At the Pure Source Surf School in Biarritz, adapted physical activity (APA) classes are reserved for patients who need to rebuild muscle and improve flexibility, for example after breast cancer.