The “SoloSurf” Association will receive the partners of the SurFedAUT project in Cádiz, Spain, on May 7, 2024. Throughout the week, different training sessions will be held, as well as the presentation of the project. This meeting will end on May 11, 2024.

During the training in Cádiz, the association “The Solosurf” will present the EUROPEAN SAFETY FRAMEWORK FOR SURF THERAPY IN INCLUSIVE AND HEALTHY SURF ENVIRONMENTS FOR AUTISM. Seminars, institutional presentation of the project and surf therapy practices will be held. The framework will allow not only organizations that work specifically with surf therapy, but also surf schools and clubs to offer safe and effective surf therapy services aimed at neurodiverse children and young people thanks to risk reduction protocols and specific training.

In October 2024, the innovative Surfedaut project, funded by the Erasmus + programme, was piloted in the town of Ericeira, Portugal. During these days, European partners from France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal met to strengthen their knowledge and collaborate in the advancement of inclusive and safe surf therapy for minors with grade 1 autism.

The training focused on the application of the «Manual on Occupational Safety in Surf Therapy for Minors with Autism», a fundamental guide that addresses safety protocols before, during and after the activity. This manual underlines the importance of designing and executing precise procedures that guarantee the safety of participants in each surf session, helping to reduce stress and improve the results of the activity in natural environments such as the beach or controlled ones such as swimming pools.

The participating surf schools received specific training, always provided under the supervision of professionals and autism specialists. Surfedaut is therefore committed to surf therapy in which preparation and safety are the priority, highlighting the model of our Spanish partner in Cadiz, the SoloSurf Association, which has been implementing this approach for 16 years and achieving successful results without accidents.

With this initiative, Surfedaut reinforces its commitment to the inclusion and improvement of the quality of life of minors with autism, uniting Europe in the creation of safe and therapeutic spaces where the sea becomes an ally of development and well-being.

The Mi Hijo y Yo Association, together with European partners, will hold the third meeting of the European SurFedAUT project in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which seeks to consolidate job security in the practice of surf therapy for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Grade 1.

The organisation will hold the pilot event for the Occupational Safety Manual on Surf Therapy for people with ASD Grade I from 20 to 23 January 2025 in Gran Canaria.

This project, framed within the Erasmus Plus programme under the name SurFedAUT, seeks to establish safety standards for surf therapy instructors. In addition, it promotes responsible consumption and sustainable practices, involving families, professionals and international partners from Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and France.

During the event, attendees will participate in simulations, environmental workshops and practical sessions on La Cícer beach. 

The SURFEDAUT program was carried out over four days, combining strategic planning, knowledge transfer, pilot implementation, and evaluation.

Day 1 focused on strategic planning and knowledge exchange. Project partners met to align on objectives, followed by presentations covering project goals, safety perspectives, regulatory frameworks, pilot methodology, and practical experience in sea safety. The afternoon highlighted the Dutch adaptive surf ecosystem and its long-term social and rehabilitative impact. The day concluded with a planning session to review the training manual and e-learning modules.

Days 2 and 3 were dedicated to the practical pilot phase. Instructors prepared the venues and tested the training methodology with two pilot groups. The structured pilot included participant check-in, instructional video viewing, surf activities, and closing procedures. An evaluation session gathered immediate feedback to improve the manual and e-learning content. An additional environmental awareness activity was held, promoting sustainability and ocean engagement.

Day 4 focused on finalization and community impact. Project partners met to complete project documentation, finalize e-learning materials, and consolidate the evaluation results.

Overall, the program successfully transitioned from planning and regulatory alignment to hands-on implementation and evaluation, resulting in validated methodologies and finalized resources for the SURFEDAUT project.

In the month of September, the last pilot of the project took place in Sardinia. On this occasion, the partners were able to verify the success of the manual created and put into practice everything learned in all the pilots carried out previously. Relevant data could be obtained for the study of the variables, and it was confirmed that the occupational safety manual works perfectly.