What We Do

Our Story

The VSA was born in 2017-2018 when our founder attended Operation Surf, a sister organization with a similar mission. Sean Meyer enjoyed the weeklong surf instruction he received, but he wanted to continue surfing with the same group on a more regular and forecastable basis. This creates healing not only through surfing but also through community.

We maintain a robust cadre of talented surf instructors, host water-safety courses in collaboration with organizations such as Learn to Surf, and provide ample equipment to members.

While many of us meet up frequently, our true flagship event is our monthly surf. This is typically held in Santa Cruz, where we meet for coffee, discuss upcoming events, share information, and do a warm-up that includes stretching, mindfulness, and mobility. We pair coaches with new members for individual instruction as needed, and then head into the water. After a surf session, we have lunch from a local sponsor and clean up the beach.

The VSA helps veterans adjust to civilian life and enables them to live a healthy, meaningful, connected life in their communities.

The VSA provides a sense of belonging and team that many veterans are in need of to foster their healing. The VSA provides a low pressure, emotionally safe environment to interact with peers and medical professionals, allowing them to discuss and reduce stress related symptoms.

Rob L, Paratrooper

William W, Multiple Combat Deployments

The VSA is the one thing I can count on. The one thing that drives me, to keep being me. Brothers and sisters on boards… building bonds, for life.
Ron H, Marine Corp

The VSA is a community of veterans who come together in unity and solidarity for the purpose of fellowship and understanding of one another. To help each other, through the healing power of surfing and kinship, while finding their way in the struggles and successes in life. Standing shoulder to shoulder and face to face to help lift up their fellow persons.
Arturo A, Dessert Strom Veteran

The VSA for me is; A community of veteran and volunteers that get together regularly to create a surf therapy family. A family that is truly concerned about the well being of each other.
Nick R. Army Soldier, Purple Heart Recipient

Camaraderie and therapy with a veteran-focused community. And I am able to interact with veterans who I serve with. I am able to heal my issues in the ocean. The ocean gives me the opportunity to express myself in a manner that I have never found possible on dryland. Access to the oceans provided by the VSA has helped me learn how to readjust and surf through the challenges of life and overcome injuries.
Jeffrey H, Infantry Sniper

The VSA is a community of surfers that support each other in and out of the water, with a mission to share the healing powers of the ocean and community to military veterans
James G, Purple Heart Infantry

The VSA has become a home, and a family of fellow likeminded veteran! After exiting the military, I felt a void in my soul, the VSA community has filled that!

Community. Nothing extra, just dude and dudesses that get it. Veterans who are trying to move forward, who are using Mother Ocean for healing, and who want to share that medium with others along their journey. Community and surfing have been the cornerstones of my healing journey, so I’m grateful for this community exists here for me and the other veterans of Santa Cruz.