About Groundswell Scotland

We are a non-profit, woman centred organisation based in East Lothian and the Scottish Borders.

Our programmes are for all women – cis women and trans women as well as non binary people who are comfortable in a space that centres the experiences of women

Surf Therapy is ‘A method of intervention combining surf instructing, surfing and structured individual of group activities that promote psychological, physical and wellbeing’ (Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice)

Our journey to support women in surf community and the outdoors started in 2005, when our founder, Sally was facilitating outdoor pursuits with groups of vulnerable young people in East Lothian.

 From there, a powerful journey in personal development skills, wellbeing, mental health research and connection with nature and women in surfing brought her to study gender studies as part of her Community Education study in 2010, and after founding  the Dunbar Surf Life Saving Club in 2014, the idea of Groundswell Scotland began to take shape from 2016. 

We were absolutely delighted when in 2018 when Natalie Small, founder of Groundswell Community Project in San Diego, came over to support our beginning and the sisterhood between the women’s projects across the world remains strong today-  learning, leading and change making together.

OUR PURPOSE

Our purpose is to provide a women centred safe space to recover from trauma, gain confidence and unite in community. We provide surf therapy courses, 1 day  sessions and events where activities such as yoga, journaling and breath work are delivered alongside the art of surfing. 

All of our sessions are facilitated by trauma aware and qualified counsellors, community educators, beach lifeguards, surf coaches and volunteers.  We provide sustainable support throughout the year and a platform for participants to step into and maintain healthy lifestyles.

Established in 2018, we rerun surf therapy programmes, community sessions and events throughout the year. 

group
On the beach

main activities

Our research-based surf therapy curriculum is rooted in trauma-informed, nature and community therapy models to support holistic and sustainable healing of participants. Our surf therapy programmes are 7 weeks, group based and participants are prepared in advance, potentially with 1-1 surf therapy session. The curriculum will include peer mentor volunteers that support participants 1-1 in and out of the surf.

Once the curriculum is finished, participants can access ongoing  community surf sessions and our surf festivals. Participants are encouraged to continue within Groundswell and out with making new friendships as well as having the opportunity to volunteer, train and lead as they are able to.

During each session we learn to use the following Curriculum modalities for sustainable emotional regulation:

  • therapeutic writing
  • breath work
  • groundings
  • surf journal, intention setting
  • yoga/ movement/ surf strength workout
  • surfing, surf safety and beach environment
  • waves of wisdom, sharing learning from the sea