What THERASURF does

THERAsurf is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2010 and headquartered in Malibu, California, that operates a surf therapy program for children with disabilities and their families. The organization runs in-person surf therapy events at Malibu Surfrider Beach (First Point) and Leo Carrillo State Beach, with periodic international events including participation in the Mexilogfest. Its service is delivered through scheduled event days rather than a technology platform: participants sign up online, check in at a basecamp tent on the beach, and are paired with volunteer surf instructors, lifeguards, and water-safety personnel for guided tandem-surf sessions.

The organization's product surface is essentially a single core service — the Surf Therapy Program — supported by an Athlete Registration intake, a Volunteer Program with multiple role types (beach volunteer, surfer, beach safety, hospitality, fundraising, beach therapist), and an International Events track. There is no mobile app, no API, no proprietary software platform, and no AI/ML component disclosed; the website (built on Wix) functions as an information, sign-up, and donation portal. Distribution is direct and event-based: families and volunteers find the program through the website, organic social (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube), an email newsletter, and partner referrals from Stable Road Foundation and Duke's Malibu.

THERAsurf's business model is donation-driven. Participation is free for athletes and their families, and the organization states that 100% of donations go directly to athlete support — funding international and fundraising events, merchandise, permits, food and drink, and equipment. Revenue is supplemented by in-kind gear donations (tandem surfboards, wetsuits, life jackets, leashes, tents, umbrellas, beach chairs). Payments are accepted via credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, cash, checks, and Venmo; financial figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

THERASURF

Legal name

THERAsurf

Website

https://therasurf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

THERAsurf is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 that organizes free surf therapy events for children with disabilities and their families at Malibu-area beaches in California, funded by donations and supported by a volunteer network and corporate partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Surf Therapy

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (624110), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Aquatic Physical Therapy & Hydrotherapy (HSADAIAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps) (THAJAJAJ), Surf, Kitesurf & Wind Sports Adventures (THAJABAK), Water & Marine Guiding Services (Kayak, Canoe, Raft, SUP, Sailing) (THAAALAB), Surf Schools & Surf Camps (THAAAKAC), Lifeguard, Water Rescue & Aquatic Safety Training (EDAOAMAJ)

Keywords

• Adaptive surf therapy
• Surf therapy programs
• Disability recreation services
• Adaptive water sports
• Nonprofit surf events

Headquarters

HQ city

Malibu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations: The organization is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals. 100% of donations go directly to supporting athletes through funding for international events, fundraising events, merchandise, permits, food and drinks, and equipment.
2. Gear Donations: The organization accepts new equipment donations including tandem surfboards, wetsuits, wetsuit booties, life jackets, leashes, tents, umbrellas, and beach chairs to support operations.
3. Volunteer and Athlete Participation: Free participation program for children with disabilities and their families. No direct revenue from participants; funded entirely through donations and partnerships.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

THERAsurf organizes free surf therapy events for children with disabilities and their families at beaches in Malibu, California (Surfrider Beach and Leo Carrillo State Beach), with occasional international events. The therapy is delivered through guided surfing sessions led by trained lifeguards and surfers, complemented by a volunteer corps and supported entirely through tax-deductible donations and gear contributions.

Product overview

THERAsurf is a single, unified surf therapy program (not a tech platform) that provides therapeutic surfing experiences for children with disabilities. The organization operates from Malibu, California with events at Surfrider Beach and Leo Carillo State Beach, plus international events. The core offering consists of the Surf Therapy Program itself, supported by a Volunteer Program for community involvement and an Athlete Registration system for participant enrollment. The organization also accepts gear donations including tandem surfboards, wetsuits, life jackets, and other surf equipment to support operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Surf Therapy Program Free therapeutic surf sessions for children with disabilities held at Malibu's Surfrider Beach and Leo Carrillo State Beach, providing participants the opportunity to experience the ocean and surfing as a form of therapy. Run by trained lifeguards, professional surfers, and volunteers with safety as the top priority.
• Athlete Registration Sign-up intake for children with disabilities to participate in THERAsurf surf therapy events, collecting athlete information (age, height, weight, disabilities, emergency contacts) so the team can coordinate safe participation.
• Volunteer Program Sign-up intake for community members to volunteer across surf therapy events in roles such as beach volunteer, surfer, beach safety, hospitality, office, fundraising, and beach therapist.
• International Surf Therapy Events Surf therapy events delivered outside Malibu, including participation in the Mexilogfest, extending THERAsurf's adaptive surf therapy to international locations.

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Stable Road FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStable Road Foundation has a longstanding commitment to helping kids with disabilities have fun and participate in exciting group activities. SRF supports THERAsurf in many ways including supporting them in their travels to the Mexilogfest international event.
• Duke's MalibucoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDuke's Malibu generously provides nourishment for athletes and volunteers during event days, and also offers their event space for fundraisers. They have volunteered in numerous other ways beyond these contributions, making their partnership truly invaluable.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Life Rolls On: Adaptive surfing nonprofit that runs surf therapy events for people with disabilities; directly comparable mission, volunteer-driven event model, and beach-based delivery.
• Surfer's Healing: Long-running adaptive surf camps for children with autism and other disabilities; comparable target population (special-needs children), free event model, and reliance on donations and volunteers.
• A Walk on Water: Nonprofit providing surf therapy experiences to children with special needs and their families; comparable therapy-first framing, donation-funded events, and beach-based delivery.
• International Surf Therapy Organization (ISTO): Umbrella organization supporting surf therapy programs globally; comparable therapeutic surf mission, member programs, and research focus on surf therapy outcomes.
• Adaptive Surf Project: Nonprofit delivering adaptive surfing sessions and clinics for people with disabilities; directly comparable target audience, volunteer-driven model, and event-based programming.
• Waves of Impact: Nonprofit using surfing as therapy for at-risk youth, veterans, and individuals with disabilities; closely comparable mission combining surf-based therapy and community impact.
• Stoke-O-Rama: California-based adaptive surf events and adaptive surfing community; directly comparable beach-based adaptive surf events and special-needs focus.

Broad incumbents

• Challenged Athletes Foundation: Larger nonprofit funding adaptive sports opportunities (including surfing) for people with physical challenges; comparable disability-focused mission but operates as a grantmaker across many sports, not exclusively surf therapy.

Emerging players

• Ocean Healing Group: Surf therapy provider for veterans and first responders with PTSD and disabilities; comparable aquatic therapy framing though focused on a different beneficiary segment.

Others

• Duke's Malibu: Restaurant partner that supports THERAsurf events with nourishment and event space; relevant ecosystem connection as an active commercial partner in operations.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/therasurf
• Facebookfacebook.com/therasurf
• Instagraminstagram.com/therasurf/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/therasurf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 THERASURF