Having worked with a number of local veterans through her Nowra-based practice, she had heard about the Veteran Surf Project [VSP].

"I'd seen the benefits of the program first hand," she said.

"I treated a couple of veterans involved in the program and the change was incredible."

But the biggest insight was in the change she witnessed, when one of her patients, who she had been treating for more than two years and was suffering significant post traumatic stress following his service in the army, started taking part in the program.

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"The change in this chap was enormous," she said.

"He is a young army veteran, a guy in his 50s. He had been well and truly towards the ledge a few times with his mental health but had come back.

"I'd read about VSP and seen it on Facebook and mentioned to him that the surf program could be good for him. A couple of other army vets I knew were doing it and I thought he could benefit.

"He was a bit hesitant, so I left it."

She said one day he came in and was "beaming from ear to ear".

"I said 'you've been surfing haven't you?'

"Yes!" was the emphatic reply.

"Apparently, he had come across a chap who had come to his house to do some work, they discovered they were both army vets and he encouraged him to try surfing.

"The rest, as they say, is history."

She said the change in his mental health was "absolutely amazing."

"It took him to the next level," she said. "It freed him in his mindspace.

"He was able to escape the traumas of his army experience. It allowed his mind to heal. Being in the salt water allowed him to heal among mates but it also allowed him to be part of a tribe.

"After treating lots of veterans, the biggest thing I notice is when they get out - one minute you're in a group that has your back, and the next you're not. You're alone and isolated."

So far, the VSP pilot trial backed by the Department of Veterans' Affairs 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.

Kate reached out to program coordinator Rusty Moran, to let him know how important the work he was doing was.

"How significant, life changing and life saving it is and how I was in awe of the impact his project was having," she said.

At that point they resolved to meet up. It might have taken a few months but eventually it happened and that, of course, also meant Kate getting on a board herself.

That was over three months ago and now her husband Craig, who currently serves in the Royal Australian Navy at HMAS Albatross and their three daughters, Chloe (14), Emmi (12) and Analise (8) are all hitting the waves.

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"The two older girls actually had a taste of surfing last year," she said.

"But I never expected to go surfing - but Rusty said if I wanted to actually experience the project at work I had to get on a board," she laughed.

"I was hesitant, stepping out of my comfort zone into a group of people where I felt like I was a bit of a trespasser, not being a veteran.

"I'm a veteran's spouse but not being a veteran myself. Rusty assured me I should come along.

"He got me into a wetsuit, into the surf, onto a board and standing up surfing for the first time that day and I haven't looked back."

That was just over three months ago and the longest Kate has gone without having a surf since is seven days.

"To watch first hand the support, the relationships, the absolute joy and the mateship that is happening among that group is next level," she said.

"While Rusty is the driving force behind the project, his group of coaches, most who are only young, are amazing.

"All of them look after the veterans and treat them as their mates, their equals. They celebrate the success of these guys louder than anyone else.

"It's genuine joy and happiness but the degree of the support the coaches, led by Rusty, the joy they bring and share with the veterans is next level."

Craig has also now completed the program and is experiencing the full benefits.

"Craig's really embraced it which is fantastic," she said.

"While he's no way finished with his time in the defence force, he is in that transition phase to the next stage of his career and life.

"That's where the program is fantastic. It provides that level of mateship away from the workspace, but at the same time he's embraced new challenges. He's learning a new skill and sharing that experience with like minded people."

And surfing has now given the Daniel family a new sporting focus.

Craig and Kate were both heavily involved in Australian Football, Craig as a player and umpire, while Kate was president of the Bomaderry Club and South Coast League and has since gone onto be involved in local netball.

"We have all taken to and committed to surfing," Kate said.

"After a few weeks we went out and bought our own wetties, which wasn't cheap, but it was a commitment which ensured we would keep turning up."

With the project now expanding to also include family days, where spouses and children can also learn to surf, the whole family is now hitting the waves as a group.

"I still get nervous in my belly...what if I can't do it today, what if it doesn't work and I fall off and look like an idiot?" she said.

"In fact the better the stack, the louder the cheers. Everyone celebrates everyone's success no matter how small."

Kate finally felt like she "had partially made it" recently when she managed to paddle right "out the back".

"I was absolutely exhausted, but it was one of those hurdles I had to cross. There was a sense of achievement, it was next level. I didn't care if I didn't catch a wave after that," she said.

"For the first time at the ripe old age of 44, I had paddled out behind the break and felt like I'd made it!

"We all know sport is important for everyone, especially for their mental health.

"I have watched the impact of salt water therapy and people being out in the ocean. You experience a flowstate, something I wasn't probably prepared for - it can be quite emotional.

"A place, even though it is a solitary activity, you are out there with a group of people doing the same thing but you are able to let your mind totally relax.

"But when you are riding a wave you have no choice but to concentrate, wholly and solely on that task.

"There's a bit of sitting and waiting and that's where a lot of the banter happens. A lot of the support happens where people are connecting with each other in a way in ordinary day-to-day life they wouldn't.

"That bond is really special."

The push is now on to secure ongoing funding to ensure the VSP can continue its vital work.

The Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefits Group and Mr Moran are working on gaining ongoing funding and are even opening it up to corporate sponsorship to keep the program operating.

As little as $1500 will put a veteran through the 10-week program and six months of follow-ups.

Dr Daniel said after seeing first hand "how important the program is", her business, Shoalhaven Family Chiropractic Centre, would be sponsoring a veteran in the program and has urged other local businesses "to get on board! "

Tax deductible donations can be made via the registered charity, Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group at www.veteransurfproject.org.

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