Power Beyond the Surf: new findings released today confirm positive impact of early intervention in tackling youth mental health challenges

New research reveals significant improvements in mental health, confidence and connection following early intervention from The Wave Project charity, highlighting the importance of Surf Therapy for young people with one million still waiting for support.

With over half a million young people currently waiting for mental health support, brand-new research from The Wave Project highlights the urgent need for greater investment in early intervention. The findings show that Surf Therapy can significantly improve mental health and wellbeing for young people aged 8–18, offering support at a critical stage before needs escalate. 

The Wave Project, the UK’s leading Surf Therapy charity, has found that young people experienced an average 18.8% improvement in wellbeing after taking part, alongside big increases in confidence, connection and emotional resilience. The evaluation, based on data from 365 young people across the UK, also found that: 

• 94% of participants felt more confident  

• Nearly 98% felt able to be themselves  

• 90.9% said they were able to forget their worries  

• Notably, 99.4% of participants said they had fun, reinforcing that effective mental health support can be engaging, active and rooted in positive experiences.

Participants also reported improved social connection, with a 22% increase in their sense of closeness to others following the programme. These findings suggest that early, community-based support can play a powerful role in improving young people’s mental health particularly when it combines physical activity, supportive relationships and time in nature. 

For young people like Rosey, that impact extends far beyond the session itself. 

Born with a tumour and living with complex medical needs, Rosey has had an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) from an early age. During her teenage years, she began to struggle with her mental health and Surf Therapy was suggested to give her something to focus on. 

With the support of The Wave Project, Rosey built confidence and developed a sense of connection. However, after a serious horse-riding accident left her in hospital for 18 months, she faced uncertainty about whether she would ever return to the sea. With support from the charity’s Adaptive Surfing team, she was able to get back into the water, something that initially felt impossible. 

Rosey’s father, Chris, comments: “For those few hours, she is just herself. Joyful, free and fully present. The Wave Project restores her to who she was born to be, not defined by what she cannot do.”  

At a time when mental health services are under increasing strain, with long waiting lists and rising demand, the findings add to growing evidence that nature-based and community-led interventions can play an important complementary role alongside clinical support. 

The report also highlights the wider social value of Surf Therapy, estimating that for every £1 invested, around £2 of social value is generated through improvements in young people’s wellbeing. The Wave Project currently delivers Surf Therapy across 15 locations in the UK, supporting more than 2,600 young people each year.  

Over the past 15 years, the charity has supported more than 19,000 young people and helped pioneer the development of Surf Therapy as a recognised approach to supporting youth mental health in the UK. 

Ramon Van de Velde, CEO of The Wave Project said: “We’re seeing a clear shift in how young people’s mental health can be supported. What this data shows is that approaches outside traditional clinical settings, rooted in connection, activity and environment, can play a vital role. Surf Therapy is part of that shift, and over the past 15 years we’ve seen first-hand how powerful it can be. 

“As young people return to beaches this spring, we’re calling for greater investment in early intervention and community-based mental health support, helping more young people build confidence, connection and resilience. Because when one young person finds their footing again, the impact does not stop there. It ripples out into families, schools and communities, just as it has for thousands of young people over the past 15 years.” 

As the spring season begins and young people return to beaches across the UK, the charity is calling on the public to help power the next wave of support. £100,000 will fund 120 Surf Therapy places in 2026, directly supporting the upcoming spring programme and ensuring more young people can access early intervention when they need it most.  

Find out more and read the full report: 15 Years of Changing Young Lives Through Surf Therapy