“I Switched Off as Soon as I Got Into the Sea”: What Carers Say About SurfSmile’s Carers Surf Club
Unpaid carers often spend their lives supporting others, managing responsibilities, and holding everything together behind the scenes. Time for themselves can feel rare, and true mental rest even rarer. That is why SurfSmile created the Carers Surf Club, a free weekly surf therapy programme designed specifically to offer unpaid carers space, support, and genuine respite.
But the real story of the Carers Surf Club is best told by the carers themselves.
This blog brings together their voices to explore how surf therapy can support carers’ wellbeing, confidence, and long-term resilience.
Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone — With Support
For many carers, joining a surf therapy programme can feel daunting at first. Trying something new, especially in the ocean, can bring nerves and self-doubt. What makes the difference is the environment and the people holding that space.
One carer shared how supported they felt from the very beginning:
“I had the most amazing experience. The instructors were kind, patient and so supportive. Although I was out of my comfort zone, having this opportunity has been amazing.”
Surf therapy at SurfSmile is never about pushing people beyond their limits. Instead, it is about meeting carers where they are, offering encouragement, and allowing confidence to grow naturally over time.
Confidence Builds Week by Week
A key part of the SurfSmile Carers Surf Club is its weekly structure. This consistency allows carers to return, build trust, and notice gradual changes in themselves.
Another participant reflected on how their confidence changed over the weeks:
“At the beginning I didn’t have any confidence, but every week I improved and my confidence improved. I laughed a lot and was encouraged by the great instructors. It was fabulous fun.”
This steady progression is one of the long-term benefits of surf therapy. Confidence is not forced — it develops through repetition, positive reinforcement, and small moments of achievement in the water.
Switching Off the Overthinking Mind
One of the most common challenges carers face is mental overload. Constant planning, worry, and responsibility can make it difficult to fully relax. Surf therapy offers something many carers rarely experience: the ability to truly switch off.
As one carer beautifully described:
“It felt so wonderful to do something I wanted to do and I switched off as soon as I got into the sea.”
The sensory nature of surfing, the feel of the water, the movement of the waves, the focus on balance and breath, naturally brings people into the present moment. For carers, this can be a powerful form of mental rest.
Feeling Welcome and Valued From Day One
A recurring theme across carers’ experiences is the feeling of being welcomed, seen, and valued. From volunteers to instructors, the SurfSmile team works to create a warm, inclusive environment where carers feel safe to be themselves.
“All of the fantastic volunteers made us feel so welcome from the beginning. Everyone was so helpful and it has given me huge confidence to continue surfing.”
Feeling supported in this way is essential, particularly for carers who may not be used to being prioritised or looked after themselves.
A Rare Opportunity for Time Just for Yourself
For many carers, especially parents and those juggling work and caring responsibilities, the Carers Surf Club represents something incredibly rare: time that is just for them.
One carer shared how meaningful this was:
“As a busy working mum with a husband who works away a lot, it was the first thing I’ve had in a while for just myself and a true switch off for my overthinking brain.”
Surf therapy offers carers permission to focus on their own wellbeing without guilt. This time for self-care is not indulgent — it is essential for long-term mental health and resilience.
Connection With Other Carers
Caring can be isolating, especially when others may not fully understand the emotional load involved. The Carers Surf Club brings unpaid carers together in a way that feels natural and unforced.
“It was so lovely meeting all the other carers and watching everyone grow in confidence each week.”
Shared experiences in the ocean create bonds without pressure. Carers can connect, laugh, and support one another simply by being there together.
The Joy of Catching a Wave
Sometimes, the most powerful moments are the simplest ones. Catching a wave, standing up, or even just feeling the board move beneath you can create a rush of joy and achievement.
“What a feeling when we caught a wave.”
These moments stay with carers long after the session ends, serving as reminders of what they are capable of.
The Long-Term Impact of Surf Therapy for Carers
Across all these experiences, the long-term benefits of surf therapy are clear. Carers report increased confidence, improved mental wellbeing, reduced stress, and a renewed sense of identity beyond their caring role.
Surf therapy does not change carers’ responsibilities, but it can change how they feel within them.
SurfSmile’s Carers Surf Club
The SurfSmile Carers Surf Club is a free weekly surf therapy programme created to support unpaid carers through ocean-based wellbeing. Sessions are inclusive, supportive, and focused on mental health rather than surfing ability.
No prior surf experience is needed, just a willingness to give yourself time and space.
Final Thoughts
The voices of our carers tell a powerful story. Surf therapy offers more than just time in the sea; it provides confidence, connection, and moments of genuine rest.
For many carers, SurfSmile’s Carers Surf Club becomes the highlight of their week, a place where they can breathe, move, laugh, and simply be themselves again.
Sometimes, all it takes is stepping into the ocean to remember who you are.