The Organization

Phase 1

A group of veterans met on Grayton Beach, Florida to surf and spend time together around a beachbonfire. The positive feed back was instantaneous, and it was clear that local veterans needed more opportunities to spend time with others who have shared experiences and are navigating the same challenges in life. Surf Fire was born.

Phase 2

Surf Fire events grew to quarterly occurrences to meet the demand across the veteran community in Northwest Florida, in addition to private sessions for active duty special operations organizations. An increased emphasis was placed on Surf Therapy and community building, servicing more than 170 veterans and family members!

Phase 3

A team of veterans dedicated to making the deepest impact possible was assembled to stand up an independent non-profit organization, dedicated to providing Surf Therapy to veterans across Northwest Florida and to build a community that exists to navigate common veteran challenges together. Surf Fire evolved into Surf Brigade, 501(c)3.

Surf Brigade is a multi-week program that runs twice a year (Spring and Fall), headquartered in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

Military veterans apply to participate anytime by contacting Surf Brigade through the website or social media.

During the program, veterans are assigned a battle buddy, whom they will surf with, and are accountable to between sessions.

Once a week, the team meets on the beach, where veteran cadre members and experts facilitate guided discussions on the top three challenges veterans navigate: Purpose, Narrative, and Community.

Each guided discussion is followed by surf instruction and a therapeutic surf session as a team. All surf equipment is provided by the program.

There is no cost to veterans, only an expectation they complete the entire program, remain in close contact with their battle buddies, and keep navigating challenges as a community.

The Program

  • Surf therapy combines the physical activity of surfing with structured group activities to help promote physical, psychological, and social well-being with clinically proven improvements in social skills, relationships, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. 

  • Just like we had in the military, our battle buddy is there for us in the surf, but more importantly, all the times in between. They have shared experiences and are navigating the same challenges as us in life. They hold us accountable for our actions, help us succeed, and be the best versions of ourselves.

  • Veterans “peg the purpose needle” early in life by being a part of something bigger themselves. And while serving our country is a noble cause, it can leave veterans feeling comparatively unfulfilled later in life, ultimately searching for a new purpose.

  • Military service requires such sacrifice that it becomes the defining narrative for years of our lives. Then one day, it is over, and veterans are left to navigate life without such an identifiable storyline, leaving many feeling adrift.

  • Military members experience a large volume of interaction with others who are remarkably similar to themselves while serving. But that experience drops off significantly later in life and can leave many veterans without a sense of belonging and lead to loneliness and isolation.

Core Values

Respect

We will treat everyone with respect. Always.

Empathy

We will take the time to understand every unique life path.

Authenticity

We will create a genuinely authentic environment.