Veterans Take On Cornish Waves During Op Surf

Servicemen and women have been taking part in a therapeutic adaptive surfing programme at Summerleaze Beach in Bude, Cornwall.

Now in its third year in the UK, Help for Heroes host the week-long Operation Surf, supported by the Endeavour Fund.

The aim of the initiative is to break down physical and psychological barriers.

Surf therapy can help veterans and serving personnel with various injuries and mental health problems.

Participants can also advance their individual experience with a holistic programme on offer throughout the week including yoga and taking part in a beach clean to show respect for the environment in which they are surfing.

Darren was a corporal in the Royal Military Police and he served in West Germany and Northern Ireland but it has taken him twenty years to accept help with PTSD.

Like Darren, 14 of those on the camp are beginners but the surfers in the blue tops are returnees from previous expeditions adaptive surfing taught by world-class instructors.

Op Surf, unsurprisingly began in California but this week-long programme in Cornwall looks set to grow as more and more people experience the healing power of the open water.