Abstract:

This paper analyses the impact of the “Onda Social” project implemented in the city of Matosinhos, in the municipality of Porto, Portugal. “Onda Social” (which translates into Social Wave) is a surf therapy project promoted by Onda Pura Surf School. “Onda Social” aims to stimulate the social and emotional skills of young people at risk through the practice of surfing. The project’s participants attend weekly 2.30 hours sessions throughout a six-month treatment intervention cycle. The classes are led by psychologists and surf coaches. Our study gathered qualitative data on the intervention developed by the project team, in order to understand the transformative impact of the project on its participants, namely when it comes to how they see themselves and how they relate to education. Collected qualitative materials are diverse, ranging from interviews with young people, school psychologists, and teachers, to session observations, audio recordings from the surf coaches, and registries made on Padlet by the project team about their intervention. The findings indicate that the surf therapy intervention model developed by this project has a significant impact on its participants, who often feel transformed by the experience, in terms of increased confidence, motivation and self-esteem, and decreased anxiety and aggressive behaviour. Moreover, as a result of the intervention, many young people appear to be more engaged in school and more likely to achieve educational success. The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of the impact of sports and, more specifically, the practice of surfing, on young people and their relationship with (formal) education.

Keywords:

Surf therapy, sports, transformation, youth at risk.