Since 2016, Groundswell Community Project has been bringing trauma-informed surf therapy to communities throughout San Diego and beyond, creating spaces where people can reconnect with their bodies, nature and one another. Now, as the organization celebrates its 10th anniversary as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it’s inviting the community to get in the water and experience that healing power firsthand.
On Sunday, September 13, Groundswell will host its annual Groundswell Community Day on Mission Bay, a free and low-cost, festival-style celebration of surf therapy and the community that has grown around it.
“We are excited to celebrate the stoke of how surfing and surf therapy has evolved over the last 10 years as well as planting the seeds for the next 10 years,” says Groundswell Community Project Executive Director Shannon Boselli.
Groundswell’s Community Day will bring together more than 150 ocean enthusiasts, wellness seekers, families, first-time surfers, local organizations and community members for a day that goes well beyond surfing. The lineup includes surfing and paddleboarding, yoga, a sound bath, live music, alternative healing sessions, local food and drink vendors, a community art project, and a raffle.
But at its heart, the event is about making the ocean feel accessible to everyone. While surf culture has historically been associated with a fairly narrow image of who belongs in the water, Groundswell is working to expand that definition. More than 80% of the organization's programming supports women and girls, while its programs also welcome LGBTQ+ community members, men, and people of all ages and races.
“There’s a stigma of what a surfer is,” says Boselli. “To us a surfer is someone who embodies self-love, sea-love and community love.”
That broader definition is central to Groundswell’s approach to surf therapy and to create an environment where people can feel safe, connected and supported in the ocean and within themselves. A growing body of research around the concept of “blue mind” explores the measurable sense of calm, clarity and wellbeing people can experience around water. The combination of nature, movement, sensory stimulation and being outside can create a powerful shift in how we feel.
“The more diverse the ocean and beach can be, the more the ocean can help heal all people,” Boselli says.
Since its founding, Groundswell has served more than 6,000 individuals and trained more than 500 surf therapy providers in its trauma-informed model. According to the organization, 92% of participants report improved mental health and emotional resilience following its surf therapy programs.
For many of the communities Groundswell serves, however, simply having access to the ocean can be a barrier.
“Access to the ocean and the healing it offers has historically been out of reach,” says Boselli. “Groundswell exists to change that.”
That mission is especially relevant in a place like San Diego, where the coastline is part of the region’s identity but not everyone necessarily feels that the beach is a space designed for them.
At Groundswell Community Day, there will be opportunities for people who already love the water, as well as those who have never surfed before. Yoga and sound healing will offer different pathways into relaxation, while live music, food, art and other activities turn the day into a broader celebration of community.
And while the event marks a milestone for Groundswell, the organization hopes it also serves as an entry point for people who want to become part of the work. One of the simplest ways to get involved is to sign up for a free community surf therapy program and try it for yourself.
For those who want to give back, Groundswell also welcomes volunteers as a surf volunteer or supporting programs behind the scenes. There’s also an opportunity for local businesses and organizations to become community partners. Groundswell works with everyone from local practitioners and coffee shops to large-scale healthcare providers, creating a network of organizations that believe in making healing and connection more accessible.
“We are excited to celebrate the stoke of how surfing and surf therapy has evolved over the last 10 years,” Boselli says, “as well as planting the seeds for the next 10 years.”
Groundswell Community Day takes place this Sunday, September 13 at The Point on Mission Bay from 9:00am-2:00pm. Free and $20 paid tickets are available, with proceeds supporting Groundswell’s surf therapy programs. View the full Community Day schedule at groundswellcommunity.org
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