A new PhD student at the University of Bristol will research how surfing affects mental health, following reports that the sport improves both mental and physical wellbeing. The UK Surfing and Health report, published on International Surfing Day (15 June), surveyed more than 1,300 participants in partnership with The Wave.
The book explores why people surf, the barriers that stop people from doing so, the costs of surfing and the impact surfing has on emotional, physical and mental health. Research findings highlight the link between regular surfing and improved physical and mental health.
The study revealed that surfing provides a significant boost to the UK economy, with the average surfer spending more than £2,000 a year and over 90% of surf-related purchases being made locally.
In parallel with this report, student Ariane Jerami has secured funding for a four-year PhD study supported by The Wave. Her research will further explore the link between surfing and mental health.
In 2022, Arianne wrote a master’s thesis showing that surfing can boost mental health, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. For her doctoral thesis, she will extend these findings by working with The Wave to collect data from different demographic groups to explore how and why surfing impacts mental health.
Surfing is growing in popularity in the UK, with an estimated 6.27 million people taking part in activities including surfing, bodysurfing and kitesurfing in the past year (British Marine, 2021).
Dr Joey Murphy, lecturer in physical activity and public health at the University of Bristol, investigated the trend and highlighted that whilst surfing has many mental and physical health benefits, accessibility remains a challenge. He highlighted the potential for making surfing more accessible to boost public health and the UK economy.
The Wave’s founder, Nick Hounsfield, highlighted the therapeutic benefits of water and waves that inspired him to found The Wave. He stressed the importance of supporting academic research, particularly into the mental health benefits. His doctoral research, beginning this autumn, will contribute to the growing field of ‘Blue Health’ and demonstrate the significant health benefits of being in or around water.”
“Ariane Jerami, a Masters student at the University of Bristol, has expressed her delight at receiving a Bristol University Postgraduate Research Scholarship to pursue her PhD. She looks forward to furthering her Masters thesis research into the impact of surfing on health and wellbeing, working closely with The Wave.”
Additionally, The Wave and the University of Bristol will host the second Blue Minds Symposium in the autumn, bringing together academics studying blue health and surf therapy with grassroots organisations putting these principles into practice, with the aim of facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration.
Journal References:
- Ariane Gerami, Charlie Foster, et al. “The Virtual Surf Booth”: Evaluation of a new tool and data collection process to measure the impact of a six-week surfing program on mental health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416732.
