Welcome to the International Surf Therapy Organization,

The leading information hub for the surf therapy sector and a space for knowledge sharing in the practitioner community.

2020 ISTO Surf Therapy Symposium

The ISTO Symposium brings together over 300 people — pro surfers, scientists, researchers, non profit organizations and volunteers — to foster discussion on surf therapy.

ISTO Declaration

Surf therapy takes a structured approach to surfing to achieve a therapeutic benefit. Surf therapy plays a significant role globally in improving peoples’ health and well-being.

Our Mission & Vision

A 501(c)(3) ~ Our mission and vision are to enable more access to safe surf therapy through evidence-based prescription.

Surf Therapy Resources

Access our Research/Data Collection, Surf Therapy Toolkit, Health Benefits, Bibliography & Whitepapers.

Surf Therapy Defined

A method of intervention combining surf instructing/surfing and structured individual or group activities that promote psychological, physical and psychosocial well-being.
*Published in the Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice.

intlsurftherapyorg

We are a global community of surf therapy practitioners and researchers collaborating to advance the use of surf therapy as a health intervention 💙

Thanks to everybody who has participated in our Wo

Thanks to everybody who has participated in our Working Groups so far!

We're designing a space for like-minded individuals (who happen to serve the same vulnerable populations in surf therapy) to create infinite ripples of change.

#ISTOworkinggroups #sameteam #connecting #collaborating #beyondsport #communication #sharing #gofargotogether #sdg3 #sdgs #unitednations #surftherapy #research #ourprescription #naturerx #bluehealth #bluemind #bettertogether #ridethewaves

ISTO's mantra is "Go Far. Go Together." We refer

ISTO's mantra is "Go Far. Go Together."

We refer to our members as Contributors because without their commitment to delivering surf therapy, and dedication to the research, and willingness to share everything they know, it would be challenging to improve our practices across populations!

Our WORKING GROUPS are kicking off this week! Let's make meaningful change together - is there any other way?

#connection #collaboration #gofargotogether #surftherapy #research #ourprescription #naturerx #bluehealth #bluemind #bettertogether #ISTOworkinggroups #isto #contributors #nonprofit #pilotstudy #mentalhealth #physicalwellbeing #sameteam #sdg3 #beyondsport

Seventy-five surf therapy organizations worldwide

Seventy-five surf therapy organizations worldwide have said YES we want to connect, collaborate and help build a case for more time on a surfboard through surf therapy research together!!

Our International Pilot Study is just launching. If you have always wanted to collect data and are looking for support - we are here for you—EMAIL in Bio to join us!

Our Working Groups are starting this month - if you'd like to interact, meet (over Zoom - for now), and share with peers and colleagues around the world serving the same population as your program - EMAIL in Bio to join us!

Go Far. Go Together!
💙💙💙

#surftherapy #ourprescription #naturerx #bluemind #mentalwellness #physicalwellbeing #safespaces #diversity #equity #inclusion #research #connection #collaboration #surfwithfriends #gofargotogether #isto #nonprofit #optoutside #bluespace #healthyocean #healthyoceanhealthyhumans #beyondsport #sameteam #sdg3

Celebrating Phenomenal Women all around the world

Celebrating Phenomenal Women all around the world every single day! LINK IN BIO to support this important film featuring one of the first girls to surf in Sri Lanka 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

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We Are Like Waves and We Are Making Waves!!

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#Repost @easkeysurf
・・・
WE ARE LIKE WAVES

A film about the struggles and breakthroughs of becoming one of the first female Sri Lankan surfers.

The film @wearelikewaves by @jordynromero features @sanugalappaththi’s pioneering journey as she discovers the power of surfing in her life after learning to swim and surf with @sea_sisters_lk.

The goal of the film-makers is to shift the mindset that ‘Sri Lankan girls don’t surf’, and to support, inspire and celebrate more diverse women on waves.

There are just 24 hours left to support the crowdfunder for the film’s post-production and claim some amazing perks - link in bio to learn more! 🌊💙 🏄🏾‍♀️ 🎥

#womenwhosurf
#surffilm
#srilankasurf
#bluehealth
#choosetochallenge #womenhistorymonth #womensupportingwomen #womenempoweringwomen #physicalwellbeing #surftherapy #surfwithfriends #girlswhosurf

ISTO Monthly WEBINARS are back! We hope you plan

ISTO Monthly WEBINARS are back!

We hope you plan to join us next week, evening of March 30th (USA) | afternoon of March 31st (Australia) - Link in Bio to Register.

@oceanmindinc will be discussing what their research has seen by connecting theory and evidence to practice. They will discuss how intervention mapping can inform the development of surf therapy programs and a deeper look into the research model used to evaluate their program.

Celebrating extraordinary women by honoring the exceptional women who have Founded or Co-Founded surf therapy programs worldwide is just one way we do it. Brava to you ALL and your outstanding surf therapy programs, and Thank you for your hard work!!

Special Mahalo to Rachael Parker @ridin.thewave for bringing her team together to lead our first webinar in 2021!!

#EqualEverywhere #surftherapy #webinar #isto #womenmakinghistory #womenshistorymonth #womenempoweringwomen #surftherapy #oceanmind #mentalwellness #physicalwellbeing #bluemind #nonprofit #research #naturerx #gofargotogether

Rell Kapolioka'ehukai, "the heart of the sea," Sun

Rell Kapolioka'ehukai, "the heart of the sea," Sunn known as 'Queen of Mākaha.'

We lost you too soon, Aunty Rell, but we're so thankful for the waves you rode for young women the world over. You were a pioneer for females in surfing and a pioneer in medicine for breast cancer awareness.

Rell was:

~Hawaii's number one female amateur surfer for five years.
~American World Surfing Champion
~Hawaii's first female lifeguard.
~In 1966, she accompanied Duke Kahanamoku on a trip to California to attend a world championship and began traveling worldwide to compete professionally.
~Along with Mary Setterholm @beach2harvard - Jericho Poppler @jerichopoppler and MaryLou Drummy @maryloudrummy ~ Rell co-founded the Women's International Surfing Association (WISA) in 1975, the first women's pro circuit.

@rellsunneducational ~ your legacy continues to lead us!
Rest in paradise, Aunty Rell!

#womensherstorymonth #herstory
#womenshistorymonth #hawaiian #girlswhosurf #surftherapy #inclusion #diversity #equity #womensurfers #beyondsport #physicalwellbeing #SDG3 #mentalwellness #cancersucks #lifeguard #pioneer #legend #womensupportingwomen #aloha #mahalo #ahuihoukakou

Women Making Herstory... At some distant point in

Women Making Herstory...

At some distant point in the future, our younger generation will take over society's reins in all its diverse spheres. The younger generation is here and hopeful and will continue to make decisive moves.

Today is the first day of Women's History Month, and we recognize our young women!!

For the mesmerizing reading of 'The Hill We Climb' by Amanda Gorman, SEE LINK in BIO.

#womensupportingwomen #herstory #womenmakinghistory #millennials #Genz #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #thehillweclimb #gofargotogether #sameteam #globalgoals #sdg3 #beyondsport #diversity #equity #inclusion

Surf therapy sessions open the doors for so many o

Surf therapy sessions open the doors for so many of our participants to change how they see the world.

When they overcome significant challenges, they see their potential, and the possibilities are endless.

Coach and mentor @jamielee_dee_davids experiences these miracles in South Africa with @wavesforchange ~ Thank you Jamie-Lee for your important role to help shape our future!

#surftherapy #mentalwellness #physicalwellbeing #selfefficacy #bluemind #bluehealth #mentor #coach #surfwithfriends #beyondsport #isto #ourprescription #naturerx #research #collaboration #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth #thisisafrica #capetown #southafrica #sdg3 #muizenbergbeach #globalgoals #sameteam #gofargotogether #2020istosymposium

What does "a seat at the table" mean? Being prese

What does "a seat at the table" mean?
Being present where decisions (policies and procedures) are made and creating a practice that makes accessing the table possible for all.

If you're in a position of power ~ slide on over and make room for diverse opinions and experiences or ask for a seat at someone else's table - to listen, learn, and understand what others have to offer.

With the International Surf Therapy Organization there will always, always be a place for you at the table!

Thank you @tamalal for building a table big enough for all and inviting us to join you. 🙌🏾

#diversity #equity #inclusion #genderequality #collaboration #2020istosymposium #gofargotogether #blackhistorymonth #blackhistory #surftherapy #womenempowerment #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #physicalwellbeing #sdg3 #globalgoals #sameteam #dignityhealthsportspark #pipkinfamilyfoundation #beyondsport #tbt

Human connection has the power to deepen the momen

Human connection has the power to deepen the moment, spark change and create trust. Surf therapy programs worldwide generate safe spaces and build those connections that include a sense of belonging, purpose, happiness, self-worth, and confidence.

Meaningful human relationships are fundamental to our mental wellness.

#surftherapy #safespace #mentalwellness #physicalwellbeing #mentalhealth #sdg3 #beyondsport #sameteam #pipkinfamilyfoundation #kinecta #diversity #equity #inclusion #ourprescription #bluespace #bluemind #africa #sierraleone #blackhistorymonth #blackhistory #makinghistory #2020istosymposium #connection #gofargotogether

"Words are singularly the most powerful force avai

"Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble."
Yehuda Berg

@ilwadelman you continue to choose wisely and inspire us all ~ Thank you!

#surftherapy #mentalwellness #physicalwellbeing #blackhistorymonth #blackhistory #somalia #elmanpeace #nonprofit #ngo #africa #thisisafrica #diversity #equity #inclusion #womenempowerment #sdg3 #beyondsport #sameteam #gofargotogether

~~~
Couldn’t do what we do without you...
@beyondsport @calfund @kinecta @bluegidget #pipkinfamilyfoundation
@mattilam @stokedresearch @goodkarmaart @danas707 @maria.pachelo @instagregors @luckyphil911 @surf4dem @timconibear

Sometimes in life, fitting in isn’t always the b

Sometimes in life, fitting in isn’t always the best because it can prevent us from standing out and projecting our much needed bright light! ✨

Other times it’s exactly what we need to get a sense of community and belonging that makes us feel like we’re a part of something extraordinary.

Surf coaches and mentors from @wavesforchange shared with us at the #2020istosymposium about how they create a space where individuals can uniquely shine and at the same time belong! 🙌🏾

#surftherapy #surfwithfriends #surfcoaches #mentors #essentialworkers #safespaces #mentalwellness #physicalwellbeing #SDG3 #beyondsport #healthandwellbeing #girlswhosurf #ngo #womenempoweringwomen #blackhistorymonth #blm #ourprescription #covid_19 #optoutside #naturerx #nonprofits #diversity #inclusion #equity #gofargotogether #isto

A recurring theme at the 2020 ISTO Symposium was g

A recurring theme at the 2020 ISTO Symposium was gender equality. We proudly featured 5-all female-led panels!!

While studies have shown that there is improved access to sports opportunities for girls and women, we still have a lot of work to do. Collectively, ALL of us need to pave the way for our daughters, just as we do our sons. There should be no disparity in sports, nor the workplace, nor in life.

“Gender should not be the thing that defines us or separates us from our fellow athletes.”

• 70% of sports now offer the same amount of prize money for men and women. But in the 30% that don't, the difference runs into the millions.

• There are 2-million more men than women taking part in sport at least once per week.

• 0.4% of the total commercial investment in sport goes into women's sport. (If you can’t see it you can’t be it!!)

• Only half of the sport's governing bodies currently meet the government target to have women making up one-quarter of the people sitting around the boardroom table.

• Men's professional soccer clubs in Europe are the world's wealthiest sports entities, and at least 10 European soccer players earn more than $14 million per year.

• Coaches in women's team sports at the college level earn 63 cents for every dollar earned by head Coaches of men's teams.

• After winning the 2015 Women's World Cup, the United States players were paid 1.6 million euros; whereas the men's French team earned more than 30 million after winning the World Cup in Russia.

• In Spain, only 5% of the press's coverage is devoted to women athletes.

UN Sustainable Development Goal #5 Gender Equality..."is not only a fundamental human right but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world."

#surftherapy #equality #diversity #inclusion #2020istosymposium #sdgs #sdg5 #blackhistorymonth #unsustainabledevelopmentgoals #genderequality #womeninsports #girlswhosurf #blm #mentalwellness #physicalwellbeing #goodhealthandwellbeing #sdg3 #beyondsport #gofargotogether

The day you give up on your dream is the day you s

The day you give up on your dream is the day you start dying. If we stop because we’re scared, then we can’t move forward, and life is about moving forward - time doesn’t rollback; it only moves forward...Do Not Stop!

Words of wisdom from the infallible Founder of Black Girls Surf, Rhonda Harper.

Thank you, @blackgirlssurf for joining us last year at the #istosymposium ~ We are forever grateful and we love you, Legend @blksurfergirl

#blackgirlssurf #girlswhosurf #legends #founders #ceos #womenempoweringwomen #surftherapy #mentalhealth #physicalwellbeing #naturerx #optoutside #senegal #global #nonprofit #international #blackhistorymonth #gofargotogether #inkwell #santamonica #sdg3 #beyondsport

The world's gender ratio is right around 50:50, bu

The world's gender ratio is right around 50:50, but you don't need to be an expert to know that women are marginalized. Studies show that it will take a century to close the global pay gap.

For the first time in its history, the World Surf League requires that cash prizes be uniform for men and women. @wsl 👊🏾
But gender inequality isn't completely eradicated from the sport.

Gender equality means that all genders are free to pursue whatever career, lifestyle choice, and abilities they want without discrimination. Their rights, opportunities, and access to society are not different based on their gender. Gender equality does not necessarily mean that everyone is treated the same. Their different needs and dreams are valued equally. 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

Achieving gender equality will have a significant positive impact on the world. Here are just a few of the benefits:
#1 Better business
Studies show that gender diversity improves an organization's innovation and productivity.
#2 Better economy
When women can participate in the economy in the same way as men, the economy does better.
#3 Reduced poverty
Girls and women make up the world's most impoverished populations. Because they aren't given equal education, job opportunities, and income, cycles of poverty repeat themselves.
#4 Better health
Because of barriers like income and lack of education, access to good healthcare is often challenging for women.
Source: https://www.humanrightscareers.com/

"Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception." RBG

#womensupportingwomen #womenempowerment #girlswhosurf #clinicians #doctors #nurses #firstresponders #thefutureisfemale #diversity #equity #inclusion #dignity #unity #equalpay #medbikini #gofargotogether

One of the most powerful outside influences that i

One of the most powerful outside influences that impact our sense of self is what we do and who we hang out with...surf therapy organizations worldwide create communities where individuals can find their identity through the act of surfing.

@surfersnotstreetchildren participants determine their identity by proudly wearing the necessary 'uniform' associated with being a surfer through the streets and thus identify as SURFERS! 🤙🏾

A human being without identity and dignity becomes merely a 'thing.' Dignity is a sense of pride in oneself and being worthy of respect.

Thank you, surf therapy orgs worldwide, for reminding your participants that they are seen, heard, and valued!
@tomhewittmbe @surfersnotstreetchildren @_minicho

#surftherapy #africa #dignity #identity #physicalwellbeing #mentalhealth #diversity #inclusion #equity #bluemind #empowerment #optoutside #leadership #nonprofitorganization #contributor #collaboration #istosymposium

Easkey, you continue to inspire us in and out of t

Easkey, you continue to inspire us in and out of the ocean!

Thank you for the reminder that those of us who identify as she/her are enough just as we are. Of course, you advocate for all genders, religions, and races to have a safe space at sea, but it's historically a dangerous place for women, and therefore many won't venture there at all.

@easkeysurf your life-long work to educate others about blue health and protect our blue space is exceptional, and we're forever grateful you're such a champion of surf therapy. We're lucky to be in these waves with you! 💙

#surftherapy #mentalhealth #physicalwellbeing #bluespace #bluemind #safespace #scientist #author #womenempoweringwomen #girlswhosurf #belikewater #seasisters #genderequity #iran #srilanka #ireland #liquidtherapy #humanhealthandtheocean2020 #sameteam #beyondsport #globalgoals #sdg3 #gofargotogether #makingwaves #diversity #equality #inclusion

Everything you need is already inside you. Don't w

Everything you need is already inside you. Don't wait for others to light your fire. You have your own matches.

Our Session of excellence with @aviwe_funani and @blackgirlssurf from the #2020istosymposium is still lingering...

#surftherapy #mentalhealth #physicalwellbeing #sdg3 #sameteam #beyondsport #gofargotogether #globalgoals #collaboration #girlswhosurf #diversity #inclusion #equality #makingwaves #wavesforchange #naturerx #ourprescription #protectwhatyoulove #research #isto #womenempoweringwomen #surfwithfriends #bananas #southafrica #capetown #thisisafrica

Messeh Leone is one of the lucky children who surv

Messeh Leone is one of the lucky children who survived the brutal war in Sierra Leone. Growing up in Sierra Leone during the conflict, Messeh witnessed unimaginable abuse of children and gross violations of human rights. The war took a lot. He lost his parent. His childhood ended before it began, and his people and community were brutally attacked. The civil war in Sierra Leone had a terrible impact on him. The horrors he witnessed filled him with despair. But despite the shock of the war, Messeh never lost hope.

That strength led Messeh to coordinate the Wave Alliance in Sierra Leone, a coalition of community-based organizations that have successfully introduced evidence-based surf therapy programs to six urban beach communities across Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Messeh, you give us HOPE for the future. Thank you for your important work! Thank you for joining us at this year's #2020ISTOSymposium. We are better for you being there! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

#sierraleone #surftherapy
#gofargotogether #equality #diversity #equity #inclusion #sdg3 #sameteam #globalgoals #naturerx #waterismedicine #adaptivesurfing #beyondsport #mentalhealth #southafrica #leaders #ourprescription #worldwide #empowerment #socialemotionallearning #soundmind #soundbody #physicalwellbeing #deicember

Our Contributors create safe spaces for at-risk yo

Our Contributors create safe spaces for at-risk youth in post-conflict areas or marginalized communities, people with different abilities, children with Down Syndrome, Autism, or ADHD, Veterans, & first responders struggling with PTSD, and so many more populations with physical and mental limitations. They come to find reprieve from the things that might prevent them from living a full life.

Safe spaces are created when we all feel seen, heard, and valued. Surf therapy is a newer method of intervention, where we remove the artificial boundaries formed between doctors and their patients.

We're able to move past talk therapy (traditional treatment) because our athletes are merely there to learn how to surf. Ultimately, what we create are families and communities based on mutual respect for what makes us unique.

#safespace #optoutside #surftherapy #ocean #physicalwellbeing #gofargotogether #mentalhealth #girlswhosurf #surfwithfriends #surfwithamigas #srilanka #seasisters #2020istosymposium #makingwaves #diversity #equality #inclusion #girlsempoweringgirls #womenempoweringwomen #differentabilities #deicember

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