Maui Surfer Girls is teaming up with other organizations to offer two different surf therapy programs in May. The first program is Private Surf Therapy, which will be offered as a two hour session in May. This program will be led by Natalie Small, LMFT, founder of Groundswell Surf Therapy, based out of Southern California. The second program is a FREE four-session Group Surf Therapy program for moms living on Maui. Sessions will be held on Tuesday mornings in May. The program is funded by Surfing Moms with support from Kaiser Permanente Hawaii. Surf therapy can be useful for overcoming fear, anxiety, and negative self talk.
Private Surf Therapy
Maui Surfer Girls is excited to welcome Natalie Small, LMFT, and partner with her to offer private Surf Therapy sessions in May. Natalie Small is the creator and founder of the Groundswell Surf Therapy model. Natalie’s program is designed to deepen the participant’s relationship to self, others and the sea through surfing. Sessions include time on land as well as in the sea integrating in somatic, art, and eco therapy tools. Natalie weaves together her clinical training as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with expertise in Experiential Expressive Arts Therapy and Somatic Therapy alongside her lifelong passion for surfing.
“Whether you want to overcome fears, build your confidence, or work on reading the waves within you and around you, Surf Therapy is a powerful opportunity to build and deepen your surf practice to support your physical, mental, and emotional health.”
The two hour sessions are offered at 8am or 10:30am for ages 12 and up, and are $300 plus tax per session. Hawaii residents get 20% off (send a message through the chat app- bottom left- for the current promo code!). All surf levels welcome (participants must be able to swim).
➡Click here for Registration and availability : https://www.mauisurfergirls.com/surf-lessons/
Surfing Moms- He’e Nalu Group Surf Therapy
Surfing Moms, a non-profit organization that started on Oahu, is offering free membership for all postpartum residents of Maui in 2024. Membership allows for free participation in the He’e Nalu programs which includes surf lessons, surf therapy, and surf-swaps, in which participants alternate child-care and surf sessions.
Maui Surfer Girls and Groundswell Surf Therapy will be working with Surfing Moms to host a four-week long Group Surf Therapy session on Tuesdays in May. This program is open to first time, beginner, or intermediate longboarding moms. The program will be led by Natalie Small, Dustin Tester, founder of Maui Surfer Girls, and Kiki Martins, professional surf instructor. Dustin and Kiki are also both Groundswell trained instructors.
The program is limited to 8 participants, and will take place on Tuesdays, May 7, 14, 21 & 28, 8am – 12noon. Surfing and therapy locations will be based on weather, but will be between Maalaea and Lahaina. The cost is free upon completion of all 4 sessions, a $100 hold fee will be returned on the final week.
➡Sign up at https://surfingmoms.org/hee-nalu-program. The deadline to sign up for the May Surf Therapy is April 30.
He’e Nalu programming is sponsored by funding partners Kaiser Permanente Hawaii and Mana O Maui.
