The International Surf Therapy Organization (ISTO) will host its annual Surf Therapy Summit in Scotland for the first time. The event will also feature the first-ever practitioner workshops held at a wave pool, according to the organization.
Hands-on training will take place October 22–24 at Lost Shore Surf Resort in West Edinburgh. A follow-up research summit is scheduled for October 25–26 at Edinburgh Napier University.
ISTO said the workshops aim to make surf therapy a viable tool for mental health, education, and community care. The sessions are designed to equip practitioners with evidence-based methods that can be scaled across sectors.
“Bringing our conference to Lost Shore, with its unique blend of a wave pool and wellness facilities, is a deliberate step towards the future of surf therapy,” said Kris Primacio, CEO of ISTO.”I’ve long championed wave pools as essential health and wellness centers. Our goal is to expand surf therapy worldwide, which requires innovation. Lost Shore is an ideal location to demonstrate how we make proven interventions accessible to all. Finishing our research summit at Edinburgh Napier University, a first for us, strengthens the crucial link between practice and research, ensuring our sector’s growth is rooted in academic excellence.”
Focus on Practical Outcomes
This year’s theme is Beyond Surfing. The program explores the role of surf therapy in mental health, physical activity, rehabilitation, education, and community work.
Sessions will highlight practical steps for program development, monitoring results, and expanding services. Dr. Easkey Britton, a surf-famous researcher focused on ocean and human health will be speaking. Other keynotes include Dr. Simon Rosenbaum, a University of New South Wales expert on exercise and mental health.
“As a physical activity researcher, I am continually inspired by the innovative ways we can harness movement to support mental health,” said Rosenbaum. “The International Surf Therapy Organization Conference is a vital platform for sharing evidence, building community, and advancing the science of surf therapy. Surfing can be more than a sport—it’s a powerful, accessible intervention that brings together physical activity, social connection, and the healing power of nature. I am proud to support ISTO’s mission to make surf therapy a cornerstone of holistic mental health care worldwide.”
Scotland’s Role in Surf Therapy Development
Organizers said Scotland is positioned to lead in surf therapy research and delivery. Local programs are already active. Edinburgh Napier University and Lost Shore’s Surf Lab are working with partners to develop new services, including initiatives for youth mental health and perimenopausal wellbeing.
ISTO’s network now includes more than 140 programs across six continents. The UK, and Scotland in particular, are seen as leaders in referring individuals to surf therapy.
Dr. Brendon Ferrier, Edinburgh Napier University, said: “Hosting the Summit in Scotland and anchoring the practical training in a wave pool gives researchers and practitioners a shared testbed to accelerate what works. We can repeat sessions, compare what we do, and produce evidence that health and education leaders trust, while still learning how pool training supports work in the sea. Our partnership with Lost Shore is already co-designing inclusive programmes and simple outcome measures that teams can use right away.”
Registration Details
Registration is open at intlsurftherapy.org. A limited number of observer passes are available for the wave pool workshops at Lost Shore from October 22 to 24.
