When the sea becomes a space for rehabilitation: How surfing helps those dealing with PTSD

At the Tel Baruch beach in northern Tel Aviv, a group of surfers gathers several times a week for a joint activity. To those passing by, it might look like just another sports group meeting at the sea, but for the group members, it is much more than that.

Fighters, soldiers, security personnel, and victims of hostilities dealing with the consequences of trauma come here as part of a rehabilitation process designed to help them gradually return to their daily routine. For many of them, the meetings at the sea are an opportunity to strengthen their self-confidence, recreate social ties, and find a safe space to cope.

The activity, which takes place on several other beaches in the center of the country, is held under the auspices of the "Surfers Without Borders" association, which works to rehabilitate people with PTSD through surfing, personal accompaniment, and a supportive community. Since the October 7th attack and the war that followed, there has been a significant increase in the number of people applying to the association, and as the fighting continues, the circle of people seeking to integrate into a long-term rehabilitation framework continues to expand.

At the core of the association's activity is the concept that surfing can serve as a significant rehabilitation tool as part of the recovery process. Being in the sea, the physical effort, and the need to concentrate every moment anew on the movement of the waves allow participants to disconnect, even for a short time, from the constant alertness and mental load that accompanies them.

Alongside the physical experience, the activity helps restore a sense of control, strengthen self-confidence, and gradually deal with challenges. The association emphasizes that surfing does not replace medical or psychological treatment, but integrates into it as a complementary rehabilitation tool.

"The sea does not erase the trauma, but it provides a respite from it," says Itay Axelrod, one of the founders of the "Surfers Without Borders" association. "We see people who arrive after a long period in which they found it difficult to leave the house, sleep, or be in the company of people. Inside the water, something else happens. They begin to feel capable again, return to trusting themselves, and above all, understand that they do not have to cope alone."

Beyond the surfing itself, one of the prominent characteristics of the association is its activity model, which was built out of the understanding that trauma does not operate according to procedures. Unlike many frameworks, joining is not conditional on recognition by the Ministry of Defense, a referral, or an official approval. Any fighter, soldier, security personnel, or victim of hostilities who needs help can join, even if they are still in the midst of lengthy recognition procedures.

According to Axelrod, the decision was born out of the reality on the ground: "People cannot wait months or years until they receive recognition to start receiving support. Their distress exists from the first moment, and therefore the response must also be immediate. As far as we are concerned, the door is open to anyone who needs us."

Another principle that distinguishes the association's activity is that it has no "finish line." Participants are not limited in the number of meetings or the duration of time they can take part in the activity. There are those who come for a few months, and there are those who continue to come even years later. The understanding is that the rehabilitation process is not uniform, and every person needs a different pace to rebuild confidence, stability, and routine.

The activity itself takes place in small groups, with each participant accompanied by an instructor one-on-one. The connection does not end with a surfing lesson, but includes personal acquaintance, conversations, and ongoing accompaniment. Over time, friendships are formed that continue outside the beach, and the community becomes a support network that accompanies the participants in their daily lives.

One of the unique signs of the association is that even the instructors themselves do not always come from the world of surfing alone. Quite a few of them arrived in the past as trainees after they themselves dealt with PTSD, went through a rehabilitation process within the framework of the activity, and later chose to stay and lead others. For new participants, the meeting with a person who has already walked a similar path gives a sense of identification and hope that is difficult to create by other means.

Axelrod concludes that in the end, surfing is only the beginning of the story: "We don't just teach people to surf. We create a place where they can feel safe, belonging, and understood. The sea gives a sense of capability, but what brings people back to life is the knowledge that there is a community around them that continues to be there even after they get out of the water."