Operation Surf brings healing waves to veterans
By Jacquelyn Quinones
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SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, California (KSBW) — Operation Surf, a nonprofit organization that uses surfing as a form of nature-based therapy, is hosting a week-long program in Santa Cruz County to help veterans and active-duty military personnel heal, connect, and embrace a lifestyle of wellness.
Founded by pro-surfer Van Curaza, who struggled with substance abuse recovery, Operation Surf has been operating for 15 years out of San Luis Obispo. Curaza created the nonprofit to give back and help others struggling through the art of surfing. “He had found that that was something that helped him with his journey so he has over 23 years of being sober and we have served veterans and active duty military from all over the nation,” said a representative from Operation Surf.
This week, the program will serve dozens of veterans from across the nation, offering a week of activities involving surfing and other programs. “We’re a curriculum-based program so we have different elements that connect to heal, instill wellness tools and our goal is to help them indefinitely after this,” said the representative.
Operation Surf has served over 3,000 veterans and their families, and this week, it will serve roughly 20 veterans. One military veteran, who has participated in Operation Surf for over a decade, shared his experience. “I had an opportunity to go surfing and I was going to go back home and check myself out and after catching the first wave of Operation Surf it served and changed my life,” he said. “It led me on to a journey where I was able to get off all of my medication and pursue adventure sports.”
The nonprofit raises funds through grants and donors, ensuring that there is no cost to veterans who participate in the week-long event.
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