The Veteran Surf Program has reached a significant milestone passing more than 1000 session attendances but more importantly is being credited with saving lives.
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The Australian first research program, which is the brainchild of former big wave professional surfer and Gerringong Surf School owner, Rusty Moran, uses surfing to help heal the wounds of veterans suffering from depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Held at Gerroa's Seven Mile Beach, the free program, which was initially funded through the Department of Veterans Affairs as a pilot trial has had 1125 attendances over 105 surfing sessions, 84 participants sign up for the 10-week program and 191 mental health surveys completed.
But more importantly, the program is being credited with saving three veterans' lives, who were on "suicide watch".
And there will be another special celebration on Saturday with group members Greg Williams and Greg Symmans marking their 50th surf session - not bad for a program that has only been running for 40 weeks.
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Organised with the support of the Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group, president, former naval member and course graduate, Fred Campbell said the program is "kicking some big goals".
Mr Campbell said he has been "blown away" by the success of the program.
"We knew we could make a difference to veterans suffering PTSD through surfing, because everyone who surfs know how being in the ocean calms your mind," Mr Campbell said.
"We have Western Sydney University undertaking a study into the scientific benefits of surfing on those suffering from PTSD and depression - and in a global first - measuring how long those benefits might remain for participants who continue surfing after the program compared to those who do not continue.
"The program has gone well beyond what we hoped to achieve this year. The stories being recorded by the university are pretty incredible.
"We knew there was a heap of veterans out there in our local community with heavy PTSD and depression - we were hoping we could help in their recovery and allow some of them to climb out of that dark place of depression.
"I had hoped that we might save one life during the program this year - but we've heard from at least three participants that we've 'saved their lives'....that is huge, absolutely huge."
The pilot trial has had 1125 attendances over 105 surfing sessions, 84 participants sign up for the 10-week program and 191 mental health surveys completed. But more importantly it is credited with saving at least three lives.
The program has gone from initially two days a week, to four days a week including weekend sessions to meet the demand and fit in around some serving personnel, predominantly from HMAS Albatross, who are now also taking part in the program.
Such has been the success, family days are being held with husbands, wives, partners and children coming along and learning to surf.
Mr Moran's passion for the project is personal - having lived experience of depression connected to his late father's military service - he is heavily invested in helping the veterans recover from
"I just love getting out in the surf with the guys. I love seeing them gain confidence and the positive change that comes over them," he said.
While surfing may be the instrument bringing them all together, it is much more than that.
I had hoped that we might save one life during the program this year - but we've heard from at least three participants that we've 'saved their lives'....that is huge, absolutely huge.
- Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group president Fred Campbell
"Being in the military, they belonged to something," Rusty said "when they leave the military that brotherhood, the mateship, the connections, those feelings of belonging can be lost.
"They lose their tribe I suppose you could say. Now the vets' have a new pack, a surfing pack, which you can see by the smiles on their faces when they meet together on the beach and then afterwards with the loitering in the car park as they relive their rides.
Being in the military, they belonged to something.When they leave the military that brotherhood, the mateship, the connections, those feelings of belonging can be lost. They lose their tribe I suppose you could say. Now the vets' have a new pack, a surfing pack.
- Veteran Surf Project co-ordinator Rusty Moran
"The camaraderie among veterans is pretty unique. They get to know each other pretty quickly, some already do from previous deployments, but they're all going through the same sorts of things so it doesn't take long to build trust and friendships.
"I just love it - there are some days I feel under pressure and I need to go and have a surf to clear my own head, so being in the water with the vets' puts a smile back on my face."
He said he is "incredibly proud" of what they have been able to achieve in the first year of the program and now having exhausted the initial funding from DVA for the pilot, the search is now on for other funding to continue the "groundbreaking" work.
"There is still so much more to do - I feel the burden of responsibility to keep the program going," he said.
Western Sydney University is undertaking a study into the scientific benefits of surfing on those suffering from PTSD and depression - and in a global first - measuring how long those benefits might remain for participants who continue surfing after the program compared to those who do not continue.
- Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group president Fred Campbell
"We can see the benefits already and we need to secure more funding to ensure the program can be an ongoing thing - PTSD in veterans is not going to go away."
The group is putting it out to the public to try and gain some public and corporate backing.
"$1500 will put a veteran through the 10-week program and six months of follow-up lessons," Mr Moran said.
"It's not a huge amount but can make such a difference in a veteran's life which flows on to his or her families."
We can see the benefits already and we need to secure more funding to ensure the program can be an ongoing thing - PTSD in veterans is not going to go away.
- Veteran Surf Project co-ordinator Rusty Moran
Some of the successes stories coming out of the programs the first year include:
One participant, Graeme Copeland, who had served in all three branches of the ADF, after his PTSD became too severe, had to give up his unrestricted pilots licence.
After taking part in the program and gaining his confidence back he is now halfway through the challenging task of regaining his unrestricted licence through CASA.
Ex-army veteran, Greg Williams said it has saved his life after experiencing PTSD since his service in Iraq.
"I'm now waking up with enthusiasm. I'm a bit more like that Energizer bunny I was before I was deployed, before my head got in the way," he says.
I'm now waking up with enthusiasm. I'm a bit more like that Energizer bunny I was before I was deployed, before my head got in the way. I just love to surf.
- Veteran Surf Program graduate Greg Williams
There have also been numerous stories of participants being able to either greatly reduce or in many cases stop the medication they have been taking for a variety of conditions for years.
One of the coolest stories has been 76-year-old Vietnam veteran, Gary Tearle.
He thought he would "give it a go" and might just use a "boogie board".
After getting on the surfboard he has become addicted to the feeling of riding a wave on his feet.
When he debriefed after his 10-week program, he said he has gone from only sleeping three hours a night, something he had experienced for almost 50 years, to now sleeping six hours every night.
"One of my proudest moments was watching Gary go through the course and seeing him catch a wave from out the back, getting up on his own and riding it all the way into shore - that was magic," Mr Moran said.
While Rusty is the heart and soul of the program, he is helped by a group of eight young coaches, ranging from 17 years of age through to 31, who play a major role in helping the veterans through the program.
"The boys are really understanding when someone is nervous about surfing for the first time, so we encourage them to take it in small steps. Unless it's one of the younger ex-army guys who wants to go full tilt straight away - those guys we have to hold back from taking on more than they can handle!" he said.
"In the water, there's no 'them and us', we are all one - we all want the participants to succeed and do well.
"As coaches, when we see someone struggle to get to their feet and finally do it and catch a wave we can't help but cheer and throw both fists in the air in celebration.
"That camaraderie is infectious. They are all cheering each other on - it's just one big family and is so special to be part of.
"That's what it's all about."
A number of the veterans have now become so in tune with surfing that four members now want to become qualified surf instructors, so they can pass on their experience and become mentors and take on coaching roles for the newcomers.
As little as $1500 will put a veteran through the 10-week program and six months of follow-up lessons. We are chasing funding to continue the program. and would even love to hear from businesses who would like to back the program.
- Veteran Surf Project co-ordinator Rusty Moran
Mr Moran said of the 84 participants in the program, about three quarters have continued to "hit the waves" and have continued surfing.
"It will be interesting to see in the study how the ones who completed the 10-week program and continue to surf how they maintain the mental health benefits compared to those who don't continue surfing," he said.
Where to from here?
"We have just completed a similar 10-week program for a handful of former Illawarra police detectives which we have coined 'First Responders Surf Project', with similar results," he said.
"Now we need to look to the community or corporate sponsors for ongoing funding to keep this program going.
"We can't let it stop now - we have created a sort of healthy surf drug dependency."
Tax deductible donations can be made via the registered charity, Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group at www.veteransurfproject.org.
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