EpicSurf, a new stationary surf experience from the water park experts at Aquatic Development Group (ADG), has been granted the title of ‘Certifed Autism Resource’ by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This furthers EpicSurf’s ability to bring the healing power and joy of surfing to people of all abilities.
EpicSurf is a deep-water stationary surf wave made with a real wave of water. Unlike sheet wave technology, this real deep-water wave offers visitors of all skill levels a customisable real surfing experience. EpicSurf’s real wave surfing offers the perfect foundation for crafting the ultimate surf experience, for beginners learning to surf, specialists improving their skills, and adaptive programming and surf therapy.
Surf therapy
Surf therapy can be a great form of therapy for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, it is not widely accessible to most people. Surf therapy is not always an option because of obstacles such as location, finances, travel costs, swimming ability, parental safety concerns, sharks, or environmental considerations. With the help of EpicSurf and artificial surfboards, surfing is now accessible and inclusive for individuals of all abilities.
“Surf simulation offers tremendous potential to people without access to the ocean,” says Kris Primacio, CEO of the International Surf Therapy Organization, “I like to describe wave pools and surf machines as the ‘wellness centers of the future’.”
EpicSurf is a valuable experience for those with ASD because of a number of factors:
Consistency: EpicSurf is a consistent wave of water, meaning that the wave never changes. For people with ASD, the wave’s regularity and repetition are priceless assets that the ocean cannot match.
Rhythmic Sensation: The crashing of the water can be quite relaxing and offer a rhythmic sensation for people who experience sensory overload. The sensation of being in or near water helps surfers feel calm and reduce anxiety.
Safety Concerns: For the peace of mind of both the surfer and the parent, EpicSurf has been designed with safety redundancies. These include a quick stop/start button to quickly drain the wave dry in a matter of seconds, rapid wave adjustability to raise and lower the wave’s height to customise the experience for each surfer and their skill level, retractable training bars for support and balance, and adjustable pumps where the volume of the wave can be changed to allow instructors, therapists and trainers to stand in the wave and support the surfer.
Comradery & Social Interactions: Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), a technique to encourage the individual to participate and have shared social relationships, is one way that ASD is addressed. Due to its small footprint and close-knit interactions, EpicSurf gives surfers a sense of community, camaraderie as other surfers support them, and a connection with the instructors and/or therapists. A shared common interest, a sense of accomplishment from a skill-based activity, and the sense of community developed around surfing all contribute to the development of social skills and the opportunity to practise these abilities in a controlled setting.
Making surfing accessible to all
“The proximity of coaches and spectators to the riders makes verbal communication while riding possible. The set up lends itself well to group therapy and team building in the sense that everyone is cheering on the rider,” says Justin Speegle, surfer, veteran, and AMPSurf Board Member. “The surfer bond is one of the things that makes ocean surfing therapy successful but even when a group goes surfing together, the ride experience is not easily shared. This set up completely changes that.”
Through EpicSurf, surfing is now accessible to people with all abilities, around the world. With more nations using surfing as a form of therapy for PTSD, depression, anxiety, ASD, and other treatments, the wave and surf pool movement is something that will change the world and how people can access the sport of surfing. Having a surf wave in a small footprint that can fit in the size of a tennis court, like EpicSurf, will make this form of non-prescription treatment more accessible to the general public.
EpicSurf says:
“We are passionate about growing the sport, passion and joy of surfing and are looking forward to utilizing our wave technology to improve the lives of many including those with autism. We are honored to have received the CAR certification from the IBCCES and look forward to bringing EPIC surf experiences as a form of therapy and fun for those with ASD and beyond!”
ADG recently announced that groundbreaking has started on a major new resort and waterpark, which the firm will be working on for the Chickasaw Nation.
