The Surfer Who Takes People Surfing To Improve Their Mental Health

Who says that therapy can't happen out in the ocean?

Joel Pilgrim founded Waves of Wellness in 2015. Growing up as a surfer, the ocean had always been a place where he could forget whatever struggles he had going on in his life. Having trained as an occupational therapist, Joel's chance meeting with a patient changed the course of his life. The patient wanted to be able to surf again. Rather than having their sessions in a stifling clinical setting, Joel decided that the two of them should just grab a board and go for a surf together. Seeing the power of the ocean over his patient, Joel was inspired to found Waves of Wellness, a surf therapy program helping people to manage poor mental health.