We are always talking about riding waves, chasing swells, and finding happiness in the ocean. But for some, just reaching the water, feeling the sand, or catching a single wave with support, is a big moment in itself.
That is one of the reasons why we are proud to support Associação Surf Cura, through 1% for the Planet. Surf Cura brings adaptive surfing to people with disabilities along Portugal’s south coast, using the ocean to create a space for healing, confidence, connection and well-being. Most of us know the feeling the ocean gives us after we spend some time in the water. We are happier, our body is more relaxed and we have a free mind. Surf Cura believes everyone should have the opportunity to experience exactly that, no matter their physical or cognitive challenges.
We would like to give you a closer look into their work and its importance, the people behind it, what your donations make possible, and why the surf community has a special role to play here. So we spoke with Ricardo, one of Surf Cura’s founders and Head Coach of their adaptive surf lessons.
Let‘s dive in!
Introduction
Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your role at Surf Cura?
Hello my name is Ricardo, I am one of the founders of “Associação Surf Cura” and at the moment the Head Coach of the association adaptive surf lessons.
What exactly does Surf Cura stand for, and what do you do?
Surf Cura believes in the healing power of nature (the outdoors) in general and more specifically on the healing power of the elements when we are in the ocean.
If we assume that at a certain level everything is energy (nowadays with so much scientific information available this basic principle is easier to understand than in the past) and that many if not all of the health challenges we humans face in life (emotional, cognitive or physical) are as well taking place and felt at that energetic level, then, if we raise the vibration of the cells/organism we can therefore improve and heal.
If we take a close look at how outsiders (non-surfers) see us - the surf community, generally identifying us as people with a good mood, relaxed, peaceful and sociable, we can right away have an idea where that comes from and how it touches and shapes most of us.
In our opinion this good vibe associated with surfers comes from this constant boost of vibration that comes from being exposed to the elements (sun, wind, water, sand) that are big sources of energy responsible for boosting our immune system and therefore some positive characteristics just naturally come to live.
What problem are you trying to solve with your work, and what makes it so persistent or complex?
Our main goal is to include people with disabilities in society, to make them feel accepted, capable and active as role models of resilience and inner strength.
By improving their personal goals in the ocean they will feel progress and gain more self esteem feeling more tempted to socialize being more exposed to society and therefore to get known, giving the community around them a chance to get used to the difference as well as to remind us all that most of our daily challenges are so insignificant compared with other persons challenges so we all should be thankful for what we have.
Why does this work matter to you personally?
Well since a young age I always felt attracted to people that seemed left behind by different reasons. It made me feel uncomfortable and willing to do something about it. As a surf coach I always chose the participants struggling the most or because they were afraid of the ocean, overweighted, discoordinated, not athletic… for me was a great opportunity to test me as a professional surf coach and again an opportunity to help the ones that many times were left behind.
Is there a specific moment or experience that stuck with you? Something that reminded you why you do this work?
There has been many situations where I just felt blessed by witnessing someone overcoming such a physical, cognitive or emotional challenge.
There was a day where a young kid around 8 or 9 years old with multiple situations such as high levels of autism and spinal injuries, he is known as ‘the hurricane’ because he is very active even knowing he is stuck to his wheelchair… It was my first day with him and we always start with the participants that are more impatient, in order to avoid them getting too anxious to go surfing.
We did a bit of adaptive surfing but mostly as he is very limited in movements we did some water therapy right there in the ocean just after the waves impact area (it was a quite small surf day).
After maybe 15 minutes he went in a deep relaxation mood just like meditating and falling asleep in my arms, when I came out the people that care of him daily where so surprised how ‘hurricane’ was so quiet and relaxed, it was very touching because he was in another ‘dimension’ deeply in harmony with the surrounding elements especially of course the water, it was just like if him and the ocean for a period of time where just one, there was no detachment between them.
What does surfing give people that other activities don't? How do you see it changing someone?
If we consider surfing as flowing with the waves, with nature in movement, than again it can be so simple as it is just riding a wave, with a board, your body or whatever other way you find joy with, but at the same time it's also at a certain level so deep and complex that it can be life changing, it was definitely for me and I have been witnessing that for more than 30 years of surf coaching.
There is fortunately much information about how many people live surfing not only as sport or a radical activity but specially as a lifestyle, a philosophy of life, almost a religion, where “soul surfers” if we can say that way or maybe more accurate were “conscious surfers” find their life purpose, change from very well paid jobs to camper van surf nomads, change countries, and adopt a lifestyle very respectful to the environment, people and animals.
So to answer the question, surf can take us to a deep part of each one of us where we rediscover our true nature: free, connected, balanced and in peace.
Maybe this quote from the Dalai Lama explains it easier: “There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way”.
The Impact
How do donations help Surf Cura, especially the ones through The Surf Tribe via 1% for the Planet?
It’s a huge help, The Surf Tribe has been for several occasions a game changer for our Surf Association as through their donations we were able to buy adaptive surf boards for specific target groups such as the blind surfers and the spine injured surfers but also were very important to assure the transportation of disabled kids and adults from and to the public schools and social institutions.
Being a NGO is about giving priority to the target groups but there are obviously many bureaucratic and financial issues that we can't ignore and have to be well taken care of. We are deeply thankful for all our donors and specially The Surf Tribe as part of their contribution also assure the project background structure longevity.
Can you share one result or data point from the last year that surprised or encouraged you?
We got publicly awarded by a government social department for our results with disabled participants through regular sports/surf practice. This was quite big for us specially because emotionally we get this feeling of being recognized by our effort and even our more regular students got really proud and kept very motivated to keep on.
What have you been able to do in the last year that you couldn't have done without external support?
We were able to take one of our blind surfers to an international championship that was quite special, but also the weekly regular surf lessons wouldn't be possible without the volunteers and they at least need to have their transportation expenses covered, so a huge thumbs up for them and for the ones as The Surf Tribe that help us to cover these essential expenses and keep on with this positive movement.
What would you do with more resources if you had them?
There is so much to do in this area:
1) Training more people to start doing the same in other locations in Portugal and worldwide;
2) Develop our complimentary therapeutic work to the surf lessons more often but, for that, we need a fixed space such as a yoga studio or similar where we could regularly alternate surf lessons, with yoga, meditation, biodanza and Chi Kung;
3) Have specific programs for the caregivers of the participants with disabilities as they are on duty 24 hrs a day and 7 days a week and get forgotten many times until they get exhausted and become unable to help out their loved ones;
4) Specific vacation programs for young people with disabilities as when school holidays arrive many families don’t have anybody to take care of them while parents have to go for work.
5) The list would keep on going…
How can people who read this get involved beyond donations?
That is a great question, our main need is to have more assistants to help out the surf coaches to handle even more people than we do at this stage.
Every person that is comfortable in the ocean or even better with some previous surf experience can help out, holding a safe space and making sure the participants feel safe, supported and having great fun.
At surf cura we organize basic and intensive workshops for surf assistants on adaptive surf lessons, feel free to reach us and get prepared to give your contribution for a more inclusive community wherever you travel next or at your local beach.
Connection to Surf Community
What's one thing you wish the surfer community understood, that they currently don't?
The power of surfing and the ocean really has healing properties, don’t see surfing just as a sport or a physical activity, it can really improve people's life if we deeply connect with it, meaning: Live consciously and really appreciate all the dimensions of your time spent in the ocean, each wave, each duck dive, your warm up, the sun on your skin, the wind on your face, the sand below your feet, the seagulls flying around… if you connect consciously with your personal surf experience you will improve your wellbeing and boost your immune system and therefore you will be a healthier and more conscious citizen to your community! Society overall wins!!
Is there anything you would like to say to The Surf Tribe community directly?
Travelling and sharing the good vibes of our lifestyle makes surfing a contribution to a better world, don’t feel shy to spoil yourself on another surf trip as actually if you are a conscious responsible surf traveller you are raising the vibrations around your circle of connections.
Remember as well that you can only help others when you are ok with yourself, start with you, build good Karma and pay attention to the opportunities life will bring you, if you are well aware you will not miss the next great “wave” of your life as it will be going straight to you:)
Trust, Flow, Share.
