I have had the privilege of taking veterans surfing on the Oregon Coast since 2019. Before each session, there is a nervous energy—some have never touched a surfboard, others have not been in the ocean since childhood. Once veterans hit the water together, something shifts. Laughter breaks the tension. Each effort is cheered on. Veterans look out for each other. Those new to the sport watch experienced surfers catching waves outside. The sense of safety, joy, and belonging—so often lost after trauma—is palpable. My experience is reflected in the research. As one veteran stated, “When I was surfing with those guys, I was surfing with family” (Marshall et al., 2020).

In a recent randomized controlled trial with vets who have PTSD and major depressive disorder (MDD), hiking and surfing were shown to have equal efficacy (Otis et al., 2024). And yet, a subset of high-performing veterans I have worked with needed something as difficult as surfing to take them out of the war in their mind. Once, after I worked with a veteran in the water for three hours, he finally dragged himself out of the ocean, exhausted. He told me, "Thanks, I really needed to wrestle something down till I couldn't fight anymore." This veteran went on to become a regular in the Oregon surfing scene.

For many trauma survivors, especially those with PTSD and dissociative symptoms, being present can feel impossible. Traditional mindfulness practices may be frustrating. But the ocean demands attention; cold water, crashing waves, the uneven ocean........

© Psychology Today