One of the most common after-effects of serving in the military for a prolonged period of time is PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Several veterans around the globe suffer from the same and look for ways to cope with it. Thankfully for these Australian veterans, they’ve found a way to heal themselves. VSP – Veterans Surf Project is helping military veterans overcome their past trauma with the aid of surfing. Here’s how it works.

In a piece of heartwarming news to come out of the sleepy New South Wales south coast, these veterans have found joy in living a surfers life. From 52-year-old Tony Pearce to Angela Cooke, every veteran part of this project share their story and how this project has changed their life.

Pearce and others found a second life in surfing

“My life now to my life eighteen months ago, it just blows me away every day”, said Tony Pearce to ABC News. Pearce and his mates are members of the Veteran Surf Project. A unique project that teaches surfing to current and former service people, which not only gives them a great pastime but also helps them with their PTSD and other mental trauma.

Pearce joined the army as an apprentice carpenter in his teenage years. But after he left the armed forces, things started getting worse for him. He continued, “Cut to 20 years later, I lost everything that I had and everyone that I loved”. He now regularly wakes up before the sun rises and checks surfing conditions with his friends.

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Pearce finally said, “I’ve got no reservations in saying that VSP is a big reason that I’m still around today”. His life got a second meaning out of this surfing project. It even helped him with his anxiety and depression. But Pearce isn’t the only one whose life changed for the better.

VSP – A game changer

Angela Cooke, another veteran, finds surfing large waves a form of relaxing and focused endeavor like no other. She said, “You can’t be anything but present and completely mindful when you are on a great wave”. She compares it to taking a fresh deep breath, after holding it for many years. The program is headed by Rusty Moran, a professional big wave surfer from his younger days. Moran, however, spends his time teaching surfing now to several groups of people, including the federal department.

The benefits of surfing extend beyond just military veterans. Hollywood actress Natasha Lyonne credited surfing with helping her quit smoking. She also stayed away from New York, as she told late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon.

However, for the veterans, the project has been a success. There were smiles on everyone’s faces, and it seemed like an overall game-changer for many people in different work fields. This could probably be an active aid to military veterans worldwide, outside of just Australia.

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