Over 12 months we will deliver regular surf sessions participants over the age of 50 in Swansea and Gower. By pledging to support, you will help fund the cost of fully supervised surf sessions. Our surf coaches are themselves aged over 50, and therefore are able to understand the needs of the participants. We are able to ensure that the sessions are fully inclusive and developed to adapt to the physical abilities of this age group. The sessions will also connect the participants to the natural environment as a means of therapy both mentally and physically. Volunteers from the local surf community will be recruited to assist during sessions to increase the sense of belonging to a wider community. Our project will allow participants to take part in an activity that previously they would have felt excluded from. Our club will remove financial barriers and create a safe space to learn, free from judgement and fully supportive of our members.

What we'll deliver:

• Provide 40 surf sessions over a year including surf coaching and equipment
• Recruit and train 8 volunteers from the local surf community
• Purchase surfboards and wetsuits for the silver surf club members

Why it's a great idea:

Learning to surf as part of a likeminded community has immense benefits for the participants. The 'Silver Surf Club' will remove financial barriers, create a strong supportive community and increase the feeling of being connected to a community and the environment. The 'physical' act of learning to surf will improve physical wellbeing, and learning a new skill will increase self esteem. Being in and on the water will help improve feelings of wellbeing and improve the mental health of members. Community activities will bring people together to protect and improve our shared natural environment, through beach cleans

Steps to get it done:

• Secure the funding and start the club sessions

As a result of the project, we hope to create a long term and sustainable club. There is the potential for members to be trained as surf coaches and surf mentors. This will allow members to ensure the long term success of the project. A trial project has been running in January to March 2024 with great success, fully attended each week, with the majority of participants being females. We hope to continue the success of this with the project, not only encouraging the participation of the over 50's age group, but increasing the number of women over 50 benefitting from the physical and emotional gains of learning to surf.