We Are England S2023E04 - Belonging Riding The Waves

A paramedic, a firefighter and a police officer head to north Devon for a day of ‘surf therapy' in the hope it can help process trauma from their demanding jobs.

Surfwell is the first project of its kind to use surfing as a method to support emergency service workers. The project, operated by Devon and Cornwall Police, is run entirely by serving police officers, which founders Sam and James say is integral for it to work.

The long-serving officers and friends, who share a passion for surfing, suggested the project after seeing colleagues struggle and realising surfing was more than a hobby for them, it was a coping strategy.