Always on
This project successfully funded on 29th August 2022, you can still support them with a donation.
Adaptive Surfing in Bournemouth
Christchurch, England, United Kingdom
Aim: A beach wheelchair to enable people with a range of disabilities and additional needs to access adaptive surfing on Bournemouth Beach
Hi, we are Emily, Jane & Johnny of Wild and Free Therapy!
We have worked tremendously hard over the past three years to bring our small Surf Therapy organisation to life.
As at March 2025, we are immensely proud to say that we have helped over 250 children, young people and adults access our programmes and sessions.
For 2025 we are passionate about giving Adaptive Surfing a presence across Bournemouth, so that people with additional needs can experience the joy and benefits that surfing and the sea can bring.
To be able to do this equitably, we desperately need a Beach Wheelchair!
Presently, our Adaptive Surfing offer is only available to smaller children, or those with partial mobility, because of the barriers in crossing the beach, and accessing the sea in a safe and dignified manner. You donation will contribute towards a much-needed Beach Wheelchair, suitable for all disabilities and all ages. This will allow us to become the only provider of Adaptive Surfing across Dorset, who can offer surfing experiences to a diverse range of physically and cognitively impaired members of our community.
Every penny donated brings a marginalised member of the community closer to accessing the sea, finding their blue space, and enjoying therapeutic and holistic ocean-based experiences.
Individual Adaptive Surfing Sessions
We deliver individualised adaptive surf therapy, using specialist equipment, and staffed by our qualified ISA Adaptive Surf Coaches, along with trusted volunteers. Staffing is in line with the individual’s specific needs, and can often include 3 staff to one participant. Experiences include catching waves independently, tandem surfing with a surf coach, and assisted surf experiences to suit an individual's requirements and preferences.
Past participants' parents have told us:
"You understood Ollie from the start and built trust. As a mum to sit on the beach and watch my son experience this was just incredible"
"The support and encouragement you gave Freddie was wonderful, I never thought he would be able to participate in something like this"
Blue space therapy is a nature-based practice that utilises exposure and interaction with blue spaces to improve a person’s mental and physical health.
In a world where we are subject to an increasingly sedentary, metropolitan and commodified life-style, we are passionate about harnessing the energy of our natural environment and in particular the benevolent ocean that lies on our doorstep.
We are passionate lovers of the sea, surf and open blue space, and are equally passionate about bringing our enthusiasm and professional skills to as many disadvantaged people as possible, further rolling out our blue space therapy models to offer a fresh approach to therapeutic intervention.
Please help us to grow this exciting project and become a part of a new wave of therapy.
Emily, Jane & Johnny
Wild and Free Therapy
Community Interest Company