Surf Program Enhances Recovery

Part of the treatment philosophy we employ at our rehab centers is that our clients must not only achieve sobriety, but they must learn how to enjoy life without drugs or alcohol. The men and women in our treatment programs greatly benefit from the many enjoyable rehab activities that our location affords us. 

Heather Devore, the director of our T.E.A.C.H. College Rehab Program, facilitates a weekly surf program that has grown into one of the most popular activities at Sober Living by the Sea.

Once a week, at the crack of dawn, Heather and some of the Sober Living by the Sea community staff meet our clients on the beach right out in front of our rehab facility and help them learn to surf.  Surfboards, wetsuits, towels, and snacks (coffee, donuts, bagels, bananas, etc.) are all provided by Sober Living by the Sea.

Surfing has proven to be a powerful experience for many of our clients because it is such a contrary activity to using drugs and alcohol. Not only are the clients up early in the morning, they are sober and learning  something new. Surfing is a physically challenging activity that allows them to start rebuilding their strength while gaining self-esteem from trying something new and learning to be successful. 

Many of our alumni who remain in the area still attend our surf program because it is so rewarding to watch a California sunrise while bobbing up and down in the gentle waves of the Pacific. Seeing the dolphins swimming right nearby and taking in the sights and sounds of the birds that fly around and dive into the water to catch their morning meal foster an appreciation for nature and living life free from chemical dependency.

Bonding with Others in Recovery

Many of our clients emphatically report that the weekly surf outing is the highlight of their week. Our staff and the alumni who participate in the surf program are people who have recovered from drug and alcohol abuse themselves. People who have embraced the 12-step philosophy are grateful to be free of active drug and alcohol addiction and know that a key part of the 12-step program is working with others who are suffering from addiction or alcoholism. Friendships are formed during this (and our many other activities) that give newly sober individuals the chance to bond with and learn from people they can relate to and trust. There is occasionally a sing-a-long heard from our group of surfers between sets of waves.

This environment of support and acceptance is one in which all who want to participate feel welcome. Many of our clients have never tried surfing before, but discover a passion for it here. Some of the newer faces start out by swimming in the shallow surf and then catching their first few waves on a boogie board.

Having Fun in Sobriety

Just like many of our activities, the clients who participate in the surf program may interact with others who are not part of our rehab group. The other surfers from the Newport Beach community don't even know that our group is from a treatment center. There is plenty of supervision during the surf program, but it is a powerful part of our recovery program for the men and women in our treatment programs to begin integrating back into society. If many others are up early surfing and can do so by choice and without drugs or alcohol, then our clients realize they can, too. Sober Living by the Sea's many activities are designed toward this end - teaching our clients how to have fun in sobriety.