At the Blue Ocean Life, giving back to the community is our most important core value. $1 from every item purchased is donated to support mental health causes. As our first partner, we’ve chosen to support to the International Surf Therapy Organization (ISTO). Here’s some background on the organization.
What is Surf Therapy?
Surf therapy is a method of intervention that combines surf instruction/surfing and structured individual and/or group activities to promote psychological, physical and psychosocial well-being.
Mission
ISTO leverages the power of partnership and the ocean to advocate for surf therapy to be used globally to improve mental and physical health and to make a collective effort to enable more access to safe evidence-based surf therapy.
Vision
ISTO envisions a society where surf therapy is universally accessible through prescription and supported financially by healthcare organizations.
Objectives
- Provide access to surf therapy for people who are mentally, physically or socially disadvantaged.
- Build a research and evidence base to showcase global innovations in surf therapy.
- Build a gold standard, high quality surf therapy interventions servicing various vulnerable populations, prioritizing marginalized communities.
- Mentor upcoming surf therapy program for inclusion into the ISTO network and provide resources.
- Highlight the benefits of being in Nature and its therapeutic interventions.
- Promote surf therapy access to landlocked areas using new wave pool technology and expansion in lakes and rivers
Why Give?
Helping others can have a positive impact on our own health and well-being in several ways. Firstly, it can give us a sense of purpose and meaning in life, which can promote feelings of happiness and fulfillment. Secondly, helping others can reduce stress and anxiety by shifting our focus away from our own problems and allowing us to connect with others. Thirdly, volunteering or doing good deeds can provide opportunities to engage in physical activity, which has been linked to improved mental and physical health. Additionally, helping others can also enhance our social connections and relationships, which are important factors in overall health and well-being.
For More Information
Visit ISTO at intlsurftherapy.org to learn more or to make a direct donation. $1 from every Blue Ocean Life item purchased is donated to this charity.
