What Ocean Healing Group does

Ocean Healing Group (OHG) is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free adaptive outdoor adventure programs to wheelchair-bound children and young adults aged 7-17, primarily through its flagship JAWS (Just Add Water Surfing) program. Founded in 2012 by Christiaan Bailey (a spinal cord injury survivor and seven-time Guinness World Record holder in surfing) and Frank Bauer (an Aspen volunteer firefighter and lifelong surfer), OHG operates 8-10 day retreats in Costa Rica in partnership with Shaka Beach Retreat, which donates property and staff. The program uses custom-designed modified surfboards allowing belly-riding and pairs each adaptive surfer with six trained volunteers; the activity portfolio has expanded to include snorkeling, jungle quad tours, zip-lining (via MalPais Canopy Tour), adaptive yoga, deep sea fishing, horseback riding, tide pool exploration, and family quest activities.

The underlying technology is non-digital: adaptive sports equipment physically designed and built by OHG itself, plus a volunteer labor model with documented lifeguard training and in-water experience. OHG is entirely volunteer-run at the staff and board level, with 100% of donations directed to participant travel, lodging, food, and activities. Programs are free to participants and their families, with revenue sourced exclusively from donations and sponsorships funneled through guest-facing, sponsorship, and volunteer email addresses plus a phone line.

The go-to-market is community-led: recruitment runs through word-of-mouth referrals, earned media in outlets such as The Tico Times and Aspen Daily News, and direct outreach via the organization's website. Customer segments are single-segment (wheelchair-bound youth with physical disabilities, particularly spinal cord injuries), with families encouraged but not required to attend. The primary strategic partner is Shaka Beach Retreat, and the organization also collaborates with MalPais Canopy Tour and other nonprofits to share access to adaptive camps and tours, reflecting a shared-mission ecosystem rather than a commercial distribution model.

Name

Ocean Healing Group

Legal name

Ocean Healing Group

Website

https://oceanhealinggroup.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Ocean Healing Group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free adaptive surfing and outdoor adventure retreats in Costa Rica to wheelchair-bound children and young adults ages 7-17, operating through its JAWS program in partnership with Shaka Beach Retreat.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Recreation Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (4872), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

akta.pro primary industry

Surf Schools & Surf Camps (THAAAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps) (THAJAJAJ), Guided Diving & Snorkeling Excursions (boat/shore trips) (THAAAIAB), Aquatic Physical Therapy & Hydrotherapy (HSADAIAL)

Keywords

• Adaptive recreation programs
• Disability outdoor adventures
• Adaptive surfing retreats
• Nonprofit disability services
• Wheelchair youth programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Aspen

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorship: Ocean Healing Group operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded entirely through donations and sponsorships. 100% of contributions go directly to travel costs for families. All board members, team leaders and volunteers pay their own way and give their time for free.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Ocean Healing Group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that provides free, week-long adaptive ocean and outdoor adventure retreats to wheelchair-bound youth ages 7–17 and their families. Its flagship offering, the JAWS (Just Add Water Surfing) program, is an 8–10 day retreat held primarily in Costa Rica at Shaka Beach Retreat, delivering adaptive surfing plus snorkeling, fishing, zip-lining, horseback riding, jungle quad tours, tide pool exploration, and adaptive yoga, supported by specially designed adaptive surfboards and a volunteer in-water safety team.

Product overview

Ocean Healing Group is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) foundation providing adaptive outdoor recreational opportunities for wheelchair-bound children and young adults ages 7-17. The core offering is the JAWS (Just Add Water Surfing) program, held primarily in Costa Rica in partnership with Shaka Beach Retreat. This flagship program provides free adaptive surfing along with a portfolio of related adventure activities including Jungle Quad Tours, Tide Pool Exploration, Zip Lining Adventures, Adaptive Yoga Sessions, Family Quest experiences, Deep Sea Fishing, and Horseback Riding. All activities are designed with adaptive equipment and support to accommodate participants with physical disabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• JAWS (Just Add Water Surfing): The flagship program of Ocean Healing Group, specifically designed and customized for individuals with spinal cord injuries. The JAWS program is free of cost to participants and is held primarily in Costa Rica.

Products and services

• JAWS (Just Add Water Surfing) Program Flagship free 8–10 day adaptive ocean and outdoor adventure retreat for wheelchair-bound youth ages 7–17 (spinal cord injury patients), held primarily in Costa Rica with Shaka Beach Retreat, providing adaptive surfing plus related activities, travel, lodging, food, and adaptive equipment at no cost.
• Adaptive Surf Program Surf instruction using specially designed modified adaptive surfboards enabling prone riding, delivered one participant at a time with six volunteers per surfer; for wheelchair-bound youth participating in the JAWS program.
• Jungle Quad Tour Adaptive off-road 4x4 ATV tour across the peninsula featuring river crossings, hill climbs, jungle passages, and mountain vistas, with a lunch stop in Montezuma and optional hikes to Montezuma Falls or Cemetery Island.
• Tide Pool Exploration Guided snorkeling and swimming at nearby tide pools with observation of tropical fish, octopus, and brittle starfish, offered as a low-impact activity break within the JAWS retreat.
• Zip Lining Adventure Adaptive zip-lining experience through the jungle canopy, delivered in partnership with MalPais Canopy Tour as part of the JAWS retreat.
• Adaptive Yoga Sessions Daily adaptive yoga sessions focused on stretching and post-activity recovery, led by an instructor experienced with both disabled and able-bodied guests, with mats, towels, and blocks provided.
• Family Quest Family-inclusive adaptive activities in which participating families engage together in shared adventure challenges working toward common goals, with OHG-provided safety and support.
• Deep Sea Fishing Adaptive deep sea fishing excursions included among JAWS program activities for wheelchair-bound youth and families.
• Horseback Riding Adaptive horseback riding excursions offered as part of the diverse activity lineup during the JAWS retreat.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of donations go directly to programs with no administrative waste
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Shaka Beach RetreatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShaka Beach Retreat is a key strategic partner that donates property and staff to Ocean Healing Group for adaptive retreats. Located in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, Shaka provides the venue and local support infrastructure for the JAWS (Just Add Water Surfing) program. This partnership enables the week-long adaptive surfing retreats that are central to OHG's mission. The partnership is described as a major enabler of the organization's flagship program.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• AmpSurf (Ampsurf.org): Nonprofit providing free adaptive surf clinics across multiple U.S. locations for people with disabilities. Direct competitor in adaptive surfing with a comparable volunteer-driven model and free program delivery.
• Life Rolls On: Nonprofit providing adaptive surfing and other action sports opportunities to people with disabilities. Closest direct peer — same mission, same activity (adaptive surfing), same beneficiary model (free programs for participants with paralysis).
• Kelly Brush Foundation: Nonprofit founded by a paralyzed skier that provides adaptive sports equipment grants and supports adaptive skiing programs. Overlapping mission (SCI recovery through adaptive sports), similar founder-led nonprofit structure.
• Never Say Never Foundation: Nonprofit offering adaptive sports programs and adventures to children and young adults with disabilities. Similar mission focus on youth with physical disabilities, similar mix of free outdoor adventure activities.
• High Fives Foundation: Nonprofit supporting individuals with spinal cord injuries through adaptive sports grants and programming. Comparable mission focus on SCI recovery and adaptive sports, with a similar mix of funding, equipment, and outdoor experience programs.
• AccessSurf (Hawaii): Nonprofit offering free adaptive surf lessons and ocean activities to people with disabilities in Hawaii. Directly comparable as a volunteer-run adaptive surf school serving wheelchair users and others with physical disabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Move United: National nonprofit network providing adaptive sports opportunities across many disciplines. Comparable focus on adaptive sports for people with disabilities but operates at a broader scale across multiple sports and chapters.
• Wings for Life: International nonprofit funding spinal cord injury research and supporting people with SCI. Comparable beneficiary base but focused primarily on research funding rather than direct adventure programming.
• Challenged Athletes Foundation: Larger nonprofit providing grants and equipment to challenged athletes across many sports. Overlapping beneficiary base (athletes with physical disabilities) but operates primarily as a grantmaker rather than direct adventure program provider.

Others

• Surfrider Foundation: Nonprofit focused on ocean conservation and beach access. Indirectly related through shared ocean/beach community and the inclusive-beach ethos that OHG promotes, though not a direct adaptive sports peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/oceanhealinggrp
• Facebookfacebook.com/OceanHealing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ocean-healing-group

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Ocean Healing Group