Groundswell Community Project

What Groundswell Community Project does

Groundswell Community Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2016 and headquartered in San Diego, California, operating a global surf therapy program built around its proprietary Groundswell Surf Therapy™ model. The organization combines somatic therapy, trauma-informed care, eco-therapy, play therapy, and community-based approaches to deliver ocean-based healing programs primarily for women and individuals dealing with trauma, mental health challenges, chronic pain, grief, and addiction. Its core products include an 8-week structured surf therapy program, monthly free Sand & Sea Gatherings at San Diego beaches, multi-day retreats (e.g., Emerge in Costa Rica with Surf With Amigas), and a Level 1/Level 2 Surf Therapy for Trauma Recovery facilitator training program that issues CEU credits through the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. A global facilitator network of 200+ practitioners across 15+ countries delivers the curriculum under license through partner organizations in Scotland, Peru, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico, and France.

Name

Groundswell Community Project

Legal name

Groundswell Community Project USA, Inc.

Website

https://groundswellcommunity.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Groundswell Community Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers a proprietary trauma-informed surf therapy program for women and trauma survivors globally, monetizing through donations, facilitator training, retreats, merchandise, and a licensed network of 200+ facilitators across 15+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Surf Therapy and Mental Health Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Adventure Therapy & Therapeutic Wilderness Programs (THAAAOAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rehabilitation & Recovery Retreats (Physio, Post-Op, Pain Management) (THAGAMAG), Aquatic Physical Therapy & Hydrotherapy (HSADAIAL)

Keywords

• Surf therapy programs
• Trauma-informed therapy
• Somatic healing services
• Ocean-based therapy
• Nonprofit wellness services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Merchandise Sales: E-commerce sales of branded merchandise including t-shirts ($27), sweatshirts ($45), ponchos ($100), and Waves of Love Cards ($5). Purchases support surf therapy and community healing worldwide.
2. Retreat Programs: Surf therapy retreats combining somatic mindfulness practices, yoga/meditation, surf coaching, community engagement, and local women's health and ocean health initiatives. Open to all surf experience levels.
3. Surf Therapy Facilitator Training: Level 1 and Level 2 Surf Therapy for Trauma Recovery training programs for therapy practitioners, non-profit founders, and surf coaches. Includes CEU credits through California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.
4. Donations: Tax-deductible donations supporting the organization's mission. EIN # 81-3150889.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Groundswell Community Project delivers trauma-informed surf therapy programs that combine somatic, eco-therapy, play therapy, and community-based healing models for individuals impacted by trauma, chronic pain, grief, and mental health challenges. Standalone offerings include an 8-Week Surf Therapy Program, monthly free Sand & Sea Gatherings, Level 1 and Level 2 Surf Therapy for Trauma Recovery Training (with CEU credits), and surf therapy retreats, supported by a global facilitator network and a merchandise shop.

Product overview

Groundswell Community Project is a global surf therapy organization offering a portfolio of programs centered around its proprietary Groundswell Surf Therapy™ model. The core offering includes the 8-week structured surf therapy program and monthly Sand & Sea Gatherings, both delivering trauma-informed, somatic-based healing through ocean activities. Supporting offerings include Surf Therapy for Trauma Recovery Training (for practitioners and coaches), a Mental Health Toolkit, educational blog content, and retreat experiences. The organization also operates a merchandise shop where branded apparel and accessories are sold to support program funding. Together, these programs and products create a comprehensive ecosystem supporting individual healing, community connection, and global expansion of surf therapy access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Groundswell Surf Therapy Collective: Training and support network for surf therapy facilitators and organizations
• Waves of Excellence
• Hermanas Del Surf
• Groundswell Surf Therapy™

Products and services

• 8-Week Surf Therapy Program
• Sand & Sea Gatherings
• Surf Therapy for Trauma Recovery Training (Level 1 & Level 2)
• Surf Therapy Retreats (Emerge, Fill Your Cup)
• Groundswell Shop (Branded Merchandise)

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% average reduction in pain scores after surf therapy sessions
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Surf Therapy OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember organization committed to data collection and research to increase awareness and access to surf therapy around the world. One of a handful of organizations globally providing surf therapy under this umbrella.
• UCSD / Dr Paul MillscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership since 2018 with UCSD exploring and documenting the true impact of Groundswell's trauma-informed Surf Therapy model on women overcoming addiction, abuse, isolation, depression, grief, and loss.
• USC Department of Biokinesiology and Physical TherapycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration studying EEG brainwave data and pain outcomes from surf therapy sessions, demonstrating 50% average pain reduction and nervous system healing benefits.
• Pain Trauma InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Tracey Chester, LMFT developing surf therapy curriculum for chronic pain management. Jointly developing eco-play-art therapy curriculum for grief support.
• Groundswell ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBranch organization founded by Sally Harris, providing uniquely Scottish surf therapy programs with focus on gender inclusivity and women's relationship with water. Has completed research on gender inclusivity.
• Groundswell Peru / Hermanas Del SurfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal chapter in Huanchaco, Peru founded by Patty, focused on healing, empowering, and uniting local women and girls in the waves. First women-owned, women-run surf school in Peru.
• Mindful WavescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Nosara, Costa Rica founded by Dani, providing surf therapy workshops for women. Collaborates with Nosara Siente mental health organization to increase local community access.
• One Sea WellnesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrauma-informed water-based healing project rooted in Pacific coast of Costa Rica and river communities of Gunnison, Colorado. Founded by PJ supporting women, youth, and survivors.
• Groundswell Peru | Mujeres y MarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen-centered surf therapy project based in Huanchaco, Peru founded by Patty. Growing sisterhood and normalizing mental health conversations.
• Surf Girls JamaicacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSurf therapy organization founded by Imani Wilmont providing community drop-in sessions, small group sessions, summer camp, and Waves of Excellence programming. Jamaica's first surf therapy provider.
• Surf With AmigascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for surf therapy retreats in Costa Rica. Combines surf therapy rooted in somatic mindfulness with highest standard surf coaching and adventure experiences.
• Native Like WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Mexico providing surf therapy and ocean-based healing programs using Groundswell curriculum.
• PanaseaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in France providing surf therapy programs using Groundswell curriculum and model.
• HydrotheoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Ventura, California providing surf therapy programs using Groundswell curriculum.
• Shakti RisingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecovery program for women in San Diego. Co-sponsored first official 8-week Groundswell Surf Therapy program and provided virtual telehealth recovery support groups and training.
• First Aid ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvider of art-based therapy trainings and curriculum for first responders of natural disasters, war, and trafficking. Natalie Small served on facilitation team providing training globally.
• eXXpeditionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll-female sailing expeditions focused on ocean science and microplastics research. Natalie Small participated in Trinidad to St Lucia voyage exploring connection between ocean health and human health.
• Jamnesia Surf CampcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSurf camp in Bull Bay, Jamaica run by the Wilmot family ('first family of surfing in Jamaica'). Hosted surf therapy facilitator training retreats.
• Nosara SientecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal mental health organization in Nosara, Costa Rica partnering with Mindful Waves to provide surf therapy workshops to women and children in the community.
• Waves WithinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for youth surf therapy programs in both English and Spanish.
• Surf With AmigascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for surf therapy retreats combining mindfulness and embodied practices with surf coaching. Supported establishment of first women-owned surf shop in Peru by purchasing and donating boards.
• Funraise.orgcoreTechnology or IntegrationDonation processing platform used for secure donation collection and storage.
• 1% for the PlanetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnvironmental partner receiving 1% of sales proceeds supporting ocean conservation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Project Adventure: Established nonprofit providing adventure-based therapy programs, training, and curriculum used by schools, mental health providers, and corporate teams. Comparable as an incumbent in adventure therapy with curriculum and training licensing model — overlaps conceptually though uses land-based activities.
• Outward Bound: Large established nonprofit operator of outdoor adventure-based experiential learning and therapy programs for youth and adults. Comparable on the adventure-as-therapy modality and nonprofit structure, but operates across multiple adventure sports, not specialized in surf or trauma.

Direct peers

• Waves of Recovery: Surf therapy organization founded by a former Groundswell intern/trainee integrating surf therapy into clinical practice. Direct adjacency in the Groundswell-trained facilitator ecosystem with similar methods and target population.
• International Surf Therapy Organization (ISTO): Umbrella organization bringing together global surf therapy providers; Groundswell is listed as a member organization. Directly comparable peer enabling research coordination and standardization across the surf therapy category.
• A Walk on Water: US nonprofit providing free surf therapy experiences to children with autism and their families. Compares directly on modality (surf therapy), nonprofit structure, and free-program delivery model, though focused on a different population.
• The Wave Project: UK charity delivering surf therapy for young people facing mental health challenges, anxiety, and social isolation. Closest European analog to Groundswell: nonprofit surf therapy model targeting trauma and emotional regulation through ocean-based programs.
• Sea Love Healing: Surf therapy organization founded by a former Groundswell intern/trainee using the same curriculum and approach. Direct peer within the Groundswell-trained facilitator network replicating the model in another geography.
• Waves of Wellness: Australian nonprofit providing mental health-focused surf therapy programs to vulnerable populations. Most direct comparable peer globally — same target demographic (mental health), ocean-based modality, nonprofit structure, and facilitator-led model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/groundswellcp

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Groundswell Community Project