“I Surf Almost Every Day Because of Trauma”: Understanding the Supporting Role of Sport, Surf Culture, and the Natural Environment in Surfers

Guided by self-determination theory, this qualitative study explored how surfing may function as a culturally situated coping practice for individuals navigating traumatic experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 surfers. Findings suggested that surfing supported emotional regulation, presence, meaning making, and connection through surf culture, community, and the natural environment. Participants described challenge, persistence, and mastery in surfing as contributing to autonomy, competence, relatedness, and posttraumatic growth. Overall, surfing may extend beyond physical activity alone and serve as a culturally and environmentally situated practice that supports growth-oriented adaptation after trauma. These findings may help practitioners consider how surfing and other personally meaningful sport and nature-based activities can serve as adjunctive supports within trauma-informed care.