On the Edge of America, where the surf meets the soul, a group of veterans, surfers, and volunteers are harnessing the power of the ocean to heal invisible wounds.
The Warrior Surf Foundation (WSF) — founded on Folly Beach, South Carolina — continues to change lives by using surfing, wellness, and community to help veterans and their families navigate the challenges of life after service.
What began as a small grassroots effort by local surfers and combat veterans has evolved into a nationally recognized nonprofit offering free surf therapy and wellness programs for those who have sacrificed so much.
A Mission Born from Service and the Sea
Warrior Surf Foundation was founded by combat veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, alongside professional surfers who understood both the healing and humbling power of the ocean.
The mission is simple but profound: to enhance the lives of veterans and their families through surf therapy, wellness coaching, yoga, and community connection.
Each week, veterans come together on Folly Beach not only to learn how to ride waves but to rebuild confidence, process trauma, and reconnect — with nature, with family, and with themselves.
Every day, an estimated 22 veterans in the U.S. lose their lives to suicide. Warrior Surf Foundation stands as a lifeline — offering understanding, purpose, and healing in a place where the ocean becomes both a challenge and a sanctuary.
Why Surf Therapy Works
It might look like fun in the sun, but surf therapy is a deeply researched form of mental and physical rehabilitation.
Science and psychology agree: spending time in the ocean changes the brain.
Here’s how:
- Movement and Balance – Surfing engages the body in rhythmic, full-body motion, calming the nervous system and reducing stress.
- Goal Setting and Achievement – Each wave conquered builds self-efficacy and confidence.
- Natural Negative Ions – Ocean air and saltwater help balance mood-regulating hormones.
- Connection and Camaraderie – Group surf sessions create community — a vital element for veterans who may feel isolated.
- Physical Exhaustion and Better Sleep – The natural fatigue from surfing promotes restorative rest, which can dramatically improve PTSD symptoms.
As director and filmmaker Josh Izenberg, who captured this healing process in the award-winning documentary Resurface, explained:
“The ocean itself has the cathartic ability to wash away negative emotions by putting them in a context of something much bigger and more powerful than someone’s individual existence.”
A Veteran’s Story: How Surfing Saved a Life
One of Warrior Surf Foundation’s most inspiring participants, Robert (Rob) Whaley, shared how surfing — and WSF — changed everything.
“My name is Robert Whaley. I joined the Navy in 2012 as a corpsman and served with the Marine Corps infantry. After returning from deployment in Iraq and Jordan, I was in a dark place. I couldn’t communicate with my family and felt completely alone.
One summer day, I went to a surf shop, rented a board, and taught myself to surf. My life changed that day. Surfing gave me peace — it washed away all my troubles.
Later, I found Warrior Surf Foundation and became part of their program. They didn’t just help me — they saved my life. I now drive five hours every other weekend to be part of this community. It’s family. And I’m helping start a new chapter in North Carolina to bring that same healing to more veterans.”
Stories like Rob’s are why WSF continues to grow and why Folly Beach remains at the heart of its mission.
Beyond the Beach: Helping Families Heal
Warrior Surf Foundation’s programs extend beyond the veterans themselves — they include spouses, children, and loved ones who face their own battles in the aftermath of service.
Surf therapy sessions bring families into the waves together, offering shared experiences that strengthen bonds and create new joy. Seeing a spouse or child learning to surf alongside them helps veterans reconnect emotionally in powerful, lasting ways.
How to Support Warrior Surf Foundation
You can get involved with WSF in several ways:
- Attend or Volunteer at Events: From oyster roasts to surf camps, WSF hosts regular community fundraisers. (Check our local events calendar for upcoming opportunities.)
- Donate: Every dollar supports free programs for veterans and their families.
- Spread Awareness: Follow and share their story so others can find help and hope.
Even if you’re just visiting Folly Beach for the weekend, you can experience the same connection by walking the sand, catching a few waves, or simply watching a sunrise over the Atlantic.
For the latest island updates, check the Folly Beach weather before you head out, and refuel after a surf session at one of our favorite local restaurants.
The Ocean as Therapy
The ocean doesn’t discriminate — it challenges everyone equally. And that’s exactly why it heals. Warrior Surf Foundation has proven that sometimes, the best therapy doesn’t happen in a room. It happens waist-deep in saltwater, with a board beneath you and friends cheering from the shore.
It’s a reminder that every wave is a chance to begin again.
Learn more or support the mission:
👉 warriorsurf.org
