A woman who took up surfing to help her with depression hopes a new therapy programme using adventure sports in Dubai could help others who are living with mental health conditions.
Surfing and water sports have proved effective in treating anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The International Surf Therapy Organisation is a community of practitioners and researchers who aim to use the sport as a mental and physical health intervention.
If I go through a rough patch, the ocean is the first thing I think about and turn to for comfort
Chrystal Engelbrecht,
surf therapy instructor
By providing access to surf therapy for people who are mentally, physically or socially disadvantaged, the ISTO hopes to build a research and evidence base to highlight its effectiveness.
There are more than 90 affiliated organisations globally, with the first launched in Dubai by Briton Paula Jacobson, 39, who manages the sessions with instructors from the Surf House in Jumeirah.
Ms Jacobson, who experienced depression when her mother died of cancer three years ago, launched the first sessions in December, with groups of three or four people alongside two instructors.
“I found out about dozens of schools in the UK using surf therapy for young people,” she said.
“I got in touch with the ISTO governing body that formed in 2017 with the idea of starting a similar project in Dubai.
“There are times of crisis you can’t predict and I’ve had some really low points.
“It can be an uncomfortable conversation but it is one that needs to happen.
“We have the ocean and we have waves in Dubai.
“There is nothing as positive or active like surfing for people who may not want to see a psychologist or counsellor, or take medication.
“Surfing is a very different kind of therapy to tackle daily problems.”
The Dubai programme is based on a successful pilot course in the south-west of England, called the Wave Project, and another on Belhaven Beach near Dunbar, Scotland.
Qualified surf instructors led two hour after-school sessions to help young people deal with anxiety.
The five-week course led to improvements in general mental health perception, as reported on the Stirling Child Wellbeing Scale — a test used to measure emotional and psychological well-being in children aged 8 to 15.
It focused on changes to mental health measured through a self-reported questionnaire completed before and after the course.
Psychology professionals were asked to monitor improvements, with positive change reported in 15 out of 17 measures evaluated.
Those taking part said they felt motivated after learning a new skill and benefited from a sense of community after making new friends.
The Dubai programme is aligned with The Psychiatry and Therapy Centre in Dubai Healthcare City, which supports those attending with follow-up care. It also recommends surf therapy to patients.
Dr Yaseen Aslam from the clinic said the programme had multiple benefits.
“Primarily, surf therapy helps improve general well being, both physical and emotional,” he said.
“That leads to reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. It can be a very effective way to manage stress and increase confidence by providing a sense of empowerment and accomplishment.”
Dr Aslam added surf therapy had proven success in supporting people living with trauma based illnesses such as post traumatic stress disorder.
“Surf therapy can be a very important aspect of an overall holistic treatment package, so I would strongly recommend it as a highly worthwhile intervention,” he said.
In calmer weather, when the swell subsides and the waves flatten in Dubai, the group is offered lessons in wake-surfing, which involves being towed behind a boat.
Healthy mindset
South African Chrystal Engelbrecht is an instructor at the Surf House and involved with teaching surf therapy sessions in Dubai.
“I used to surf in South Africa with a similar group who helped young homeless people who were dropping out of school,” she said.
“They got into surfing and embraced the therapy to help overcome their trauma. Surfing helped get them back into a healthy mindset.
“When you finally have that connection with something new and are in the ocean it is therapeutic.
“If I go through a rough patch, the ocean is the first thing I think about and turn to for comfort. When you are surfing you have nothing else on your mind, all you feel is joy.”
One novice surfer who has noticed an improvement in her mental health is Lily.
The British scuba-diving instructor takes antidepressants, as she has lived with anxiety for years.
“I had never surfed before so it was all very new,” she said. “There was a lot of adrenalin and I worried about not getting up on the board, but it is very addictive.
“When you stand up there is a huge feeling of accomplishment and you just want to do it again.”
Calming place
Lilly said a relationship break-up and job loss at the onset of the pandemic worsened her anxiety and mild depression.
She has had six counselling sessions at a cost of Dh600 a time and her medication costs Dh500 every three months.
As conventional mental health treatments are not covered by her health insurance, Lily decided to give surf therapy a go as a more holistic, affordable alternative.
“I’m concentrating so hard when I’m surfing, so I don’t think or worry about anything else,” said Lily.
“It gets you to meet new people and learn a new skill, there is a sense of community and I feel apart of something with others in a similar place to me.
“The sea is a very calming place.”
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Tewellah by Nawal Zoghbi is out now.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
