The Healing Power of Surf Therapy for Kids

Alto Peru, a nonprofit organization in Peru, runs a surf school for kids in a marginalized neighborhood in Lima. The surf school is part of a global wave of community-based projects using surf therapy to help children express themselves, process emotions, and create positive social connections. Studies have shown that surf therapy can improve mental health, foster self-esteem, and even help heal post-traumatic stress disorder. The program also focuses on community development, including creating safe spaces, colorful murals, and a playground. Waves for Change, a South African nonprofit, has been instrumental in spreading the evidence-based surf therapy methodology worldwide.