Surf. Connect. Heal.
Waves 4 Women
Women and girls face many obstacles towards self-confidence. Waves 4 Women provides community and connection through the power of surfing so that you can shine confidently in your everyday life.
As women, we are bombarded with ideals in society that can distract and discourage us from becoming who we truly are. Grief, trauma, and pain can isolate us from our surroundings and each other. Surfing is a unique and fun platform where we can connect mind and body and feel a part of community and nature!
Looking to build confidence, develop a growth mindset, and create new friendships? We’ve got you!
PROGRAMS AT A GLANCE
Our Surf and Wellness Programs promote social, emotional, and physical wellbeing in women and girls in the Charleston, South Carolina area and beyond. When women are nourished, they and their communities thrive! It’s our goal for women to have fun in the waves and create lasting friendships built on support and wellness.
Waves 4 Women strives to connect and support through our Community Partner Surf Therapy Clinics and School-Based Programs. We are 2SLGBTQ-friendly & seek opportunities to further support underrepresented groups . We are honored to share the coast with the amazing local Charleston Gullah community and are here to share the surfing stoke!
If you are looking for a safe and supportive community, sign up for a program today and start your journey towards thriving with friends!
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Health and wellness, surf conditioning, and ocean therapy.
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2-hour guided group wellness and warm-ups which include breathing exercises, stretches, surf instruction, & post surf debrief. These can hold up to eight participating athletes each session, and up to eight Waves for Women coaches & volunteers.
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For local nonprofits, school groups, companies, and other organizations, specially designed to fit the organization’s needs!
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For those not interested in a crowd, we offer the option of one-on-one sessions.
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If you are seeking information on this new program please contact our surf director.
Surfing and learning new skills can feel intimidating…We’ve been there, too.
But together, we can support each other in our successes and re-dos, connect better to ourselves, each other, and nature, and create hope and excitement for the future.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS SURF THERAPY?
Surf therapy programs utilize a combination of wellness education, surf instruction, and mindfulness practices within a safe outdoor space. This provides participants with opportunities to discover and enhance personal strengths, connect with other women, and experience belonging and connection.
HOW DOES A PROGAM WORK?
Waves 4 Women uses small group surf instruction and guided wellness discussions to teach adaptive life skills such as practicing mindfulness and gratitude, enhancing personal strengths, and developing healthy relationships within a safe and supportive community of women and girls.
When women and girls learn a new and challenging skill such as surfing, they develop the skills needed to face fears, tolerate uncomfortable emotions, engage in healthy self talk, and build self-confidence. Through guided wellness discussions, participants learn how to utilize these skills in their daily lives to improve functioning and enhance satisfaction in relationships, work, family, and other life domains.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT A CLINIC?
The program consists of small group surf clinics held once a week (primarily on Saturday mornings) for 4 consecutive weeks. Surf therapy groups are facilitated by two wellness coaches, one of which is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and 3-5 surf instructors. Each clinic begins with the introduction of a new wellness skill (mindfulness, gratitude, positive/growth mindset, goal setting). Surf instruction is provided both on land and in the water (60 minute duration). During the post-surf group debrief, instructors use questions to encourage discussions which promote reflection and learning, and assist participants in transferring this new information into their daily lives to improve overall satisfaction, wellbeing, and functioning.
Individual Session Layout
7:45-8:00 Arrive at Beach; brief assessment
8:00-8:10: mindful stretching
8:10-8:30 Introduce Wellness Topic (gratitude, mindfulness, goal setting, growth mindset)
8:30-9:30 Surf instruction: land & water based instruction
9:30-9:50 Post-Surf Debrief: (what happened in the water, how can we transfer to daily life)
9:50-10:00 Journal reflection
10:00 End of Clinic
WHAT BENEFITS WILL I EXPERIENCE?
Participants will …
Identify and enhance strengths and resources that exist within themselves
Move past perceived limitations
Enhance mindfulness skills
Develop coping skills to better manage uncomfortable emotions.
Increase trust and confidence in their ability to make decisions and solve problems.
Enhance feelings of belonging and connection to others.
WHAT SPECIFIC WELLNESS SKILLS WILL I LEARN?
Mindfulness: how to be present in the moment without judgment.
Growth mindset: how to notice and reframe negative self talk; how to identify and enhance personal strengths.
Goal Setting: how to create healthy goals, adapt and respond to challenge and uncertainty, and learn from mistakes.
Distress Tolerance: How to deal with anxiety, fear, and discomfort; how to manage frustration.
Gratitude: How to recognize and experience appreciation for the good in our lives.
There are many ways to get involved. Join the movement by becoming a supporting partner! As a 501c3 non-profit, your donation is tax deductible.
