A Success Story

Since that first pilot course in 2020, over 230 children struggling with poor mental health and emotional challenges have found their balance, resilience, and confidence on the waves at The Wave. The program has grown year after year, with 2025 set to be the biggest yet, supporting 138 young people in a single year!

The results aren’t just anecdotal, they’re scientifically proven. Young people taking part in the six-week Surf Therapy courses have shown a 23% improvement in their wellbeing. Measured using the internationally recognised World Health Organisation’s Wellbeing Index, this shift moves average scores from below the threshold for low wellbeing into positive ranges. That’s a statistically significant change, demonstrating the profound impact of time in the water, community support, and the sheer joy of catching a wave.

The Power of Community and Purpose

The impact goes further than the sessions themselves. Over the past five years, 183 volunteer mentors have been trained in Bristol, ensuring young people feel supported both in and out of the lake. A real sense of community has developed around the weekly Surf Therapy sessions, with many of The Wave team and regular surfers training as volunteer mentors to support the young people. 

The partnership between the two organisations dates back to before The Wave was even built, with the charity supporting the original planning application. The 2020 pilot took place just after The Wave reopened following the first Covid lockdown.  

The Wave Founder, Nick Hounsfield recalls:  
“The Wave was created to use the positive power of surfing to improve lives. As soon as we reopened we wanted to make sure that this purpose was central to what we were doing – and running that first Surf Therapy pilot with The Wave Project was a key part of this. It proved that the programme works as effectively inland as at the coast. Since then, the stories of resilience, joy and community that continue to emerge from each cohort remind us why we built The Wave in the first place.”  

Julian Topham, CEO of The Wave, adds: 
“We are honoured to support The Wave Project and proud that The Wave was the first inland surf facility to host their unique Surf Therapy courses. Being able to offer the programme to Bristol families who would not be able to access it on the coast is game-changing. To see it continue to transform lives, build connections and help young people thrive is inspiring. We look forward to seeing what the next chapter holds.” 

More Than Just Surfing

Ramon Van de Velde, CEO of The Wave Project, said: 
“Our partnership with The Wave over the past five years has been about so much more than surfing. Just as every wave offers the chance to try again, grow, and find balance, our work together has created new opportunities for young people in Bristol to build confidence and resilience on land as well as in the water. Surf Therapy here, just like it does in our other 16 locations around the UK, has transformed lives, showing that the simple act of catching a wave can ripple out into lasting improvements in wellbeing, hope, and community. The Wave is a stunning place and organisation, making such a difference, and we can’t wait to see what the next 5 years will bring.” 

One of the children who has been positively impacted by the Surf Therapy programme is Ava Gilbert. As her mum explains: 

“When Ava was referred to The Wave Project she was suffering from crippling anxiety, she couldn’t sleep, she wouldn’t go anywhere and struggled to try anything new. Last week she took part in her school play, went to see Taylor Swift, and went surfing, stood up and caught the wave effortlessly. I couldn’t believe how far she’s come. Beginning at The Wave Project was a pivotal moment for a child that was afraid of everything. Surfing has given her confidence to try something new, and an ability to believe that she can move on from challenges.” 

This winter Ava is even training to become one of the Wave Project’s volunteer Surf Mentors, so she can help other young people through Surf Therapy.  

Matilda Jackson, The Wave Project Bristol Coordinator, said: 
“I’m incredibly proud of everything The Wave Project has achieved in Bristol, with 2025 being our biggest year yet. Each year, many of the young people who have completed our Surf Therapy courses regularly return to take part in our Surf Club, continually supported by our brilliant volunteer surf mentors. I’m excited to keep building on our successful and longstanding partnership with The Wave and look forward to collaborating in new and exciting ways in 2026.” 

At an average cost of £850 per child, the Surf Therapy offers an early, cost-effective intervention – helping young people before their needs become more severe. With more than 500,000 young people currently on NHS waiting lists, The Wave Project are seeing more young people than ever needing help, but fundraising is tough right now. They’ve just launched an important campaign to respond to the growing need if you are able to support: Transforming Young Lives – Before It’s Too Late

The post 5 Years of Life Saving Surf Therapy with The Wave Project appeared first on The Wave.

A Shared Journey 

From the very beginning, Dryrobe® has been part of The Wave’s story. When we opened our doors in 2019 as a world-first inland surfing lake, they were right there with us, keeping our team of surf coaches, lifeguards and hosts warm and dry as they supported thousands of surfers every year. 

But this partnership goes far beyond practical kit. We share deep-rooted values: a love of water, waves and the outdoors, and a commitment to helping people stay active in nature all year round. Both brands are built on purpose as much as performance, striving to create positive impact for people and planet. 

Looking Ahead 

This renewal comes at a really exciting moment for us. Following a recent change of ownership, The Wave is stepping into a new era. Renewing our partnership with a long-term partner like Dryrobe® is a powerful signal of confidence in our future as a thriving, forward-thinking hub for the UK’s surf community. 

We are both world-first businesses that have established completely new sectors and aim to show that businesses can be a force for good. Together, we’re proud to support all levels of surfing, from grassroots to professional surfers, and with a particular shared support for the UK’s para or adaptive surfing community. 

Working for People and Planet 

Sustainability is at the heart of this partnership. As part of our renewed agreement, we’re working with Dryrobe® and Reskinned on an exciting new scheme to recycle and repurpose old Dryrobe®s that are no longer fit for everyday use. This aligns perfectly with our shared goal to minimise environmental impact and drive positive social change. 

Q&A with Nick Rees, Global Partnerships Manager at Dryrobe® 

Dryrobe® has been part of The Wave’s journey since day one. What made this partnership feel like the right fit from the start? 
 
From the beginning, we could see that The Wave was going to be something really special – a world-first inland surfing lake, built with a clear sense of purpose. Surfing is at the heart of who we are at Dryrobe®, so it was a natural fit. We’ve always admired The Wave’s ambition to get more people outdoors and in the water – which completely aligns with what we exist to do – and it’s been amazing to grow alongside them. 

Surfing is such a core part of Dryrobe®’s identity. Can you tell us a bit about how the brand started and why surfing remains so important today? 
 
Dryrobe® was born on the beach. Our founder, Gideon Bright, came up with the original design after years of changing out of wetsuits in freezing car parks after surf sessions. Surfing is where it all started for us, and it continues to inspire everything we do. It’s not just a sport, it’s a community and a lifestyle, and we’re proud to keep supporting it in every way we can. 

You’ve renewed the partnership after 6 years. What makes The Wave such a special place for you personally, and for the brand? 
 
The Wave is the original surf park – that I feel has set the tone for what these surf park destinations can and should be. For me, it’s always felt like more than just a place to surf. It’s about people coming together, whether they’re complete beginners or seasoned surfers. That spirit of inclusivity really resonates with us at Dryrobe®, and it’s why we’re so committed to continuing this partnership. 

Both Dryrobe® and The Wave share a focus on sustainability. What excites you most about the Reskinned scheme and other eco-initiatives you’re working on? 
 
We’re really excited about the new scheme with Reskinned. Dryrobe’s are built to last with many of our first still going strong a decade later, but eventually for the staff at The Wave and their heavy daily duty usage since opening it’s important to update the kit. This will ensure they are as fit for the intense usage and that the Wavemakers stay warm and dry. Working with The Wave to give old robes a second life is a brilliant example of how businesses can come together to find practical, sustainable solutions. It’s exactly the kind of initiative that shows our values in action. 

The Wave is home to surfers of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. How does Dryrobe® see its role in supporting grassroots, professional and adaptive surf communities? 
 
For us, it’s about making sure everyone feels welcome and supported. We’ve worked with grassroots surf clubs, elite athletes and the adaptive surf community for years, and we’re passionate about levelling the playing field so that surfing really is for everyone. We have actively supported athletes and events at every level, partnering with organisations such as The Wave Project and supporting Team England Adaptive Surfing by providing kit, funding and visibility, helping athletes compete on the world stage. The Wave shares that vision – for example being the training centre for Team England Adaptive and hosting the English Para Surfing Open comp – and that’s one of the reasons this partnership is so powerful.  

Beyond surfing, Dryrobe® has become a global name in outdoor adventure. How does this partnership with The Wave connect to that wider vision? 
 
At Dryrobe® we talk a lot about enabling people to do more of what they love, outdoors, all year round. Whether it’s surfing, swimming, trail running or just walking the dog, it’s about breaking down barriers to adventure. 

Through our Warmth Project – our social impact initiative – we have donated thousands of products and grants to charities and community groups, including surf therapy and adaptive sports programmes. The project has already supported over 200 grassroots organisations worldwide, ensuring more people, regardless of ability or background, can access the benefits of being active outdoors. 

The Wave embodies that same spirit, encouraging people to embrace nature and try something new, even if they’ve never stepped on a surfboard before.  

Looking ahead, what do you hope this renewed partnership will achieve for surfers and the wider community? 
 
I’d love to see us continue to inspire people to fall in love with surfing and the outdoors, and to do it in a way that creates lasting positive impact. Together, we can support the surf community at every level, while also showing that business can be a force for good. That’s something I’m hugely proud of. 

Want to learn more about our mission and impact? Take a look at The Wave Impact Report 2024-25. 

The post The Wave and Dryrobe® Celebrating 6 Years of Partnership appeared first on The Wave.

Julian said:

“I have known about The Wave since it was just an idea, and have surfed it many times since it opened in 2019. I have worked in the surf industry for 25+ years and in my view The Wave is an extremely important part of the UK surf community and has the ability to grow and support a diverse and inclusive surfing community. I want to ensure it stays that way, and thrives, for the long term.

“We appreciate there has been huge uncertainty in the last week, for so many people, especially our wonderful Wavemaker staff, customers, and partners, so a big thank you for your understanding. There will be a short period of transition as a company changes hands and we get up to speed, but we are doing everything we can to make this as smooth and as fast as possible, and get The Wave open again.”

Please bear with us as we work with the team to get the waves rolling again. We will be updating everyone on a regular basis, as and when we can.

The post The future of The Wave appeared first on The Wave.

The Advanced wave is my comfort zone and Advanced Plus I would call my learning zone, enough take off wipeouts or clunky first turns to leave me in the foam, but pure exhilaration when it comes together down the line. Until a couple of days ago I’d never surfed Advanced Plus left. But true to the above, it was time to give it a go.

Why now?

1. The right was sold out
2. The new settings have been designed so the first half of the session has a less intimidating take off which lured me in

How was it?

I’d lined up Jess, the legend behind our social media, to capture some epic wipeouts so some good would come of my efforts, even if it wasn’t my own confidence. But she left disappointed as after she arrived half way through the session, she’d missed them all.

Early nerves soon passed as I stuck the first few take offs. My biggest fear is always clogging up the line up with an early wipeout so I simplified my focus and just concentrated on successful pop-ups. After that, make the most of where I’d find myself on the wave. This worked. Very few manoeuvres were registered on the Flowstate technology, but with a total of 17 waves, 14 reached an easy exit at the end of The Wave after some fun trimming and occasional bottom turn distinguishable enough.

Thoughts and reflections?

Having now conquered the fear, I’m confident enough to surf it again. The new settings definitely supported the step up and now give me the confidence to think more about surfing the wave from start to finish. A good step in the near future would be to do an advanced coaching to refine the backhand technique for turns and manoeuvres. I probably need to work on a bit of flexibility too!

The line up was full and incredibly friendly, and while there were a few wipeouts throughout the session, the host managed the flow brilliantly. We all will have left with 15+ waves, more than I used to get on the old Advanced Plus settings when it was a full session. I’ll be back for more.

The post The Fear of the Backhand… appeared first on The Wave.

How would you describe your surfing experience so far?

I would say I’m an advanced beginner! I had my first Beginner Lesson almost 5 years ago but only started focusing on progressing 2 years ago. I’ve surfed tiny waves in the sea, at The Wave I used to surf Waikiki but I recently tried the new Improver wave and loved it! I might not have made it into bigger waves yet but I love getting into the water each time – and that’s what’s important! 

Having surfed the Waikiki wave before, what stands out as different about the Improver wave?

The biggest difference is the take-off – it’s so much easier to navigate. For those of you who have tried Waikiki you’ll remember you needed to use the first wave to get very close to the wall before catching the wave. You could also get caught by the current while waiting for your turn. There were a few times I’d used so much energy getting into the right position, I was exhausted by the time it came to catching the wave! This is completely removed in Improver. You take off like all of our other sessions – easy! In terms of the wave itself, I generally found it very similar to the Waikiki in terms of size and power but I seemed to have a much better session! Perhaps this was down to starting the wave well with an easier take-off.

Did you feel more confident attempting new things on the Improver wave compared to the Waikiki wave?

I found it easier to catch the wave at the right point, which meant I was a bit steadier on my feet and I started trying to turn. Now I feel more confident navigating the lineup and take off, I think I might try the Intermediate wave soon!

For someone ready to move beyond the Beginner wave, what would your advice be? 

If you feel like you’re confident on your board and standing up more times than not, I’d say just go for it! My biggest advice is to make the most of lessons! Our lessons are only £10 more than a session and you get invaluable advice and support from our expert coaches. You start with 30 minutes outside of the lake and then your coach is also in the water with you – your own personal cheerleader! This particularly helped me for the first session I had in The Reef, I was feeling nervous about how the lineup worked and where I needed to position myself to take off, but my coach was with me every step of the way. You also tend to find you get a lot of support from the other people in your lesson, you’re all in the same boat, cheering each other on, which creates a lovely environment!

What’s similar between the Waikiki and Improver wave?

They’re both very gentle waves, I didn’t feel out of control or out of my depth at all. One of the great things about Waikiki and now the Improver wave is the mixed abilities within the session. In the group you’ll find there are lots of people learning and just starting out, so you won’t feel too pressured to perform your best ever wave, most of us are just figuring it out too! We’re also probably focusing so much on our own waves that we don’t have time to even look at anyone else…

What are your top tips for learning to surf?

1. Go at your own pace – it’s not a race! Take as many Beginner Lessons and Improver Sessions as you need. Need to take a breather midway through the session? That’s fine too!

2. Make the most of lessons and coaching

3. Have fun! I might not be standing on every wave but as long as I’m having fun I’ve had a great session.

The post What’s it like to surf the new Improver wave? appeared first on The Wave.

Learn more about the changes we’ve made.

introducing improver

Familiar with our Waikiki wave? This is our new and improved version! The Improver wave is a more realistic ocean-like wave to help you progress your surfing skills, bridging the gap between Beginner Lessons/Sessions and our Intermediate wave.

Intermediate

Intermediate’s take-off has been vastly improved, with a more mellow feel but a friendly amount of power – making it easier for all abilities to catch the wave. The wave holds a much more consistent shape with less racey or flat sections, you’ll find it easier to practise those basic techniques and be able to start looking at manoeuvres.

Advanced

The new updated Advanced Session has two wave types, starting with the new style of wave and moving into the classic wave with all the power but an easier take-off and a more consistent shape and size throughout. Dial in your take-off and snaps on the new wave before training your cutbacks on our old classic.

Advanced Plus

We’ve turned things up a bit on Advanced Plus! Your favourite turns wave remains alongside a slightly faster, steeper, and hollower version whilst also having an easier take-off! This new wave will serve as the perfect bridge to Expert Barrel and Turns sessions.

Expert Turns

It’s a complete upgrade for Expert Turns! You’ll find more power and faster, steeper sections all with an easier take-off. 

Expert Barrels

Barrels? No change there – we know how much you love this session just as it is!

Keep your eyes peeled on some updates about something new coming for those just moving up from the beginner bay too!

The post Fresh Season Fresh Waves appeared first on The Wave.

For the kids

The Wave Cold Water Surf Club kids sweatshirt £25

The Wave water bottle £9.50

dryrobe Advance Kids Long Sleeve £145

For her

dryrobe Advance Long Sleeve £160

Ceramic mugs £25-£30

Carver GrlSwirl £260

Stance socks £11+

For him

YETI Rambler 10 oz (296 ml) Stackable Mug £25

Rip Curl fleece £99

The Wave Cold Water Surf Club sweatshirt £40

For the surfer

Carver skateboard £260-£280

FCS Fins £65+

Stance socks £11+

The Wave Beanie £18

New! Gift Bundles

Our gift bundles are the perfect way to treat your loved ones to the ultimate Wave experience.

Gift a Surf – £59
– Voucher for 1 surf

The Wave Essentials – £149
– Voucher for x2 surfs
– Wave Beanie
– Wave 2.5L Dry Bag
– Wave Wax Comb
– Wave Sticker

For The Adventurer – £299
– Voucher for x4 surfs
– Wave Beanie
– Wave 21L Dry Bag
– Wave Hammam Towel
– Wave Sticker x2

The Ultimate Gift Set – £649
– Voucher for x10 surfs
– Wave Beanie
– Wave DryRobe Towel Robe
– Wave 40L Dry Bag
– Wave Sticker x2

Buy instore or online at thewave.com/shop.

The post 2024 Christmas Gift Guide appeared first on The Wave.

Here are our tips on how to embrace the coldest and cosiest time of year.

Making the Most of Shorter Days

One of the most effective ways to combat the winter blues is to maximise daylight exposure. Waking up early and spending time outdoors, even for a short while, can significantly boost your mood and energy levels.

It’s also fun to embrace the darkness and hibernate with indoor activities you love, such as reading, cooking and meditation. Throughout winter, we’ll be hosting guided yoga classes in warmth of The Hideaway.

Eating Seasonally in Winter

Fuel your body during the winter months with warming foods like soups, stews and curries. Tasty and nutritious root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots and parsnips are abundant in November so stock up! It’s also important to make sure you’re getting enough immune-boosting foods such as citrus fruits, garlic, and ginger.

The Benefits of Cold Water

Cold water immersion, such as cold water swimming or surfing, is already super popular for its physical and mental health benefits. Regular exposure to cold water can improve circulation, reduce muscle soreness, and enhance mood and alertness. Want to give it a go? Our Cold Water Dip sessions are hour long cold water experiences in The Bay during our smaller wave sessions.

At The Wave, we want to make your winter surfing experience as comfortable as possible. We provide thick winter wetsuits, boots, and gloves, as well as free access to our saunas to warm up after your session. With our new lake lighting, we can also extend your day with surf sessions going on well into into the evening.

With winter taking up a quarter of the year, every year, why not try and make the most of it! Prioritise rest and relaxation during the darker hours, and when the sun does shine, get outside and enjoy the fresh air.

Ready to book your winter surf?

The post Learning to Love Winter appeared first on The Wave.

The post What’s Good about our Energy? appeared first on The Wave.

Phil Edwards

The post Learn To Surf This Summer appeared first on The Wave.