Speaking at the 2024 International Surf Therapy Conference

It was a privilege to speak at the International Surf Therapy conference in Los Angeles and talk about stories from my “Surf Therapy” book, including surf therapy’s fascinating past (Native Hawaiians left us hints that they knew the benefits of surfing) and the future of the industry (wave pools offering surf therapy to inland populations who otherwise can’t access the sea).

But my favorite part of the conference was listening to everyone else’s surf therapy journey, their goals, and the people they are reaching through surfing. I can’t wait to see how the sector continues to grow, and I hope my “Surf Therapy”book helps the process so that more people can benefit from the healing powers of the surfboards and saltwater.

"Surf Therapy" Wins "Democratization and Accessibility" Award at the Surf Park Summit!

“Surf Therapy” is officially an award winning book!

The book won the “Democratization and Accessibility Award” at the Surf Park Summit.

The democratization of access award category recognizes the importance of inclusivity in the surfing community and celebrates those who are working towards making the sport accessible to everyone, helping to remove the barriers that have traditionally made it difficult for individuals from landlocked regions or marginalized communities to participate in the sport.

This award category recognizes the parks and organizations within our industry that are breaking down these barriers and providing opportunities for people from all walks of life to experience the thrill of surfing, regardless of access or ability.

This category celebrates the surf parks that prioritize accessibility by providing affordable, safe, and inclusive facilities that cater to diverse populations.

Featured on the "Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors" Podcast

In this compelling episode, Will engages with Cash Lambert about his groundbreaking new book, "Surf Therapy: The Evidence-Based Science for Physical, Mental, and Emotional Well-being." Cash discusses his evolution from a journalism student, initially participating in a surf therapy event to fulfill volunteer hours, to an author dedicated to documenting the profound impacts of surf therapy. His journey began with witnessing the transformative effects of surfing on children with autism, leading to his first book, “Waves of Healing: How Surfing Changes the Lives of Children with Autism” that captured these life-altering experiences. His narrative weaves together heartfelt stories and the significant changes observed in participants and volunteers alike, which fueled his passion for advocating surf therapy’s benefits.

The conversation further explores Cash’s latest book, which expands the examination of surf therapy to a wider audience, including veterans and individuals suffering from PTSD. This book is supported by extensive research and aims to legitimize surf therapy as a recognized therapeutic method. Throughout the interview, Cash shares powerful testimonials and research findings, highlighting the unique benefits of surf therapy and his vision for its future as a mainstream therapeutic option. His dedication to enhancing understanding and acceptance of surf therapy shines through as he details the journey of bringing these healing practices to a global audience.

You can listen to the full episode here.

Not Just Good Surfers, Good People

There’s more to life than three-to-the-beach, surf contest results and a clean cutback.

Story from Patagonia.

When I pull up to Ian Walsh’s Menehune Mayhem at Maui’s Ho‘okipa Beach Park on a sunny Saturday in May, it looks like a full-on party. The bounce house is jumping. Groms are chasing each other on the sand with whipped-cream pies. There’s a PA system announcing heat scores, and you can hear the laughter in the parking lot.

It seems much of the Maui surf community showed up for the annual event—a two-day surf competition featuring 400 kids, ranging in age from 4 to 15 years old, competing in the small and windy waves on hand.

Grom contests like the Menehune Mayhem and similar events—Live Like Sion Gromfest, Rell Sunn Menehune Surfing Championships, North Shore Menehune Surf Contest and others—are ushering in a new generation of surfers and changing surfing’s image for the better.

A few years ago, upon returning to the US from a surf trip in Nicaragua, I was detained in a windowless room and had my belongings searched for drugs. When I asked the officials why they chose to search me out of the sea of people at customs, one of them, while checking the back pocket of a pair of boardshorts and finding nothing but surf wax, responded “because you’re a surfer.”

Reputations aren’t given, they’re earned, and surfing’s outlaw history is true. “Back in the day, it was party on, as everyone knows,” says 74-year-old Dave Riddle, North Shore mainstay and veteran surf coach. “There was the saying back then: ‘Win or lose we booze.’ But that lifestyle is in the past now. That’s not to say people don’t still have fun—they do. But surfing is taken way more seriously today. And [surfers] are staying out of trouble.”

This change in surfing is due, in large part, to older generations taking on the responsibility of being role models to the groms.

Ian Walsh’s Menehune Mayhem is a classic Maui surf contest with a purpose.

Ian Walsh’s Menehune Mayhem is a classic Maui surf contest with a purpose.

Ian Walsh’s Menehune Mayhem is a classic Maui surf contest with a purpose.

Ian Walsh’s Menehune Mayhem is a classic Maui surf contest with a purpose.

Ian Walsh’s Menehune Mayhem is a classic Maui surf contest with a purpose.

Ian Walsh’s Menehune Mayhem is a classic Maui surf contest with a purpose.

Ian Walsh’s Menehune Mayhem is a classic Maui surf contest with a purpose.

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Ian Walsh’s Menehune Mayhem is a classic Maui surf contest with a purpose.

Ian Walsh’s Menehune Mayhem is a classic Maui surf contest with a purpose.

Ian Walsh’s Menehune Mayhem is a classic Maui surf contest with a purpose.

Ian Walsh’s Menehune Mayhem is a classic Maui surf contest with a purpose.

Ian Walsh’s Menehune Mayhem is a classic Maui surf contest with a purpose.

“The whole concept behind Menehune Mayhem was to create a surf event exactly how I wanted it when I was their age,” says Walsh, who was influenced by Shane Dorian’s Keiki Classic—another grom event that’s run on the Big Island for the last 25 years—which he surfed in as a kid.

One aspect that separates Walsh’s grom comp from your average surf event is that instead of just rewarding participants for their surfing skill, academic achievement is a cornerstone of the competition.

“The inspiration came from my mom,” Walsh says. “She was a teacher for 30 years at a public school in Maui, so I grew up understanding just how important that [education] is. The scholastic achievement became a way to reward kids for getting it done in the water and in the classroom.”

Over time, these awards grew from iPods, cell phones and laptops to $2,500 scholarships for Maui County high school seniors entering college. The goal was to not only reward the students but also to give them tools and resources to take the next step in their education.

“It is one of the most special scholarships I’ve ever received,” Louisa Buckingham, a Maui native, tells me over the phone. She attended the Menehune Mayhem for as long as she can remember, and the scholarship she received in 2019 helped her to pay for school supplies, textbooks and other items not included in her tuition at Georgetown University.

“The award empowers local kids to go beyond their comfort zone, learn from the mainland and bring those lessons back to Maui and incorporate them in the community,” says Buckingham. “I’m honored that the Walsh family would consider me for that.”

The effects of the scholarships have trickled down into the younger Maui surf community.

Walsh will be the first to tell you: The kids’ favorite part of the day is finally slapping a pie into his face. Ho‘okipa Beach Park, Maui.

“The GPA award at the Menehune Mayhem is always something we strive to achieve in school,” says Ty Simpson-Kane, fellow Maui native, Pe‘ahi charger and lifelong Menehune Mayhem participant.

Walsh’s contest is one of a few that promotes good grades. The North Shore Menehune Surf Contest—a grom event on Ali‘i Beach in Hale‘iwa that’s been going on for over 40 years—gives out a laptop or iPad to those with the highest GPA and positive teacher comments. “A big part of why our contest was established was to be a positive influence on our youth,” says contest co-director Ivy Blomfield. “All participants have an opportunity to turn in their report cards for consideration.”

And, if the kids want to take their surfing to the next step and compete in the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA), they’ll need to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. “Failing in school is not permitted in the NSSA,” says Janice Aragon, executive director of the NSSA. Like the Menehune Mayhem, the NSSA awards annual scholarships to competitors with the highest GPA.

Aside from promoting athletic and academic achievement, these events are also teaching environmental responsibility.

“At the Menehune Mayhem, we are taught a lot about how to reduce our single-use plastics,” Simpson-Kane explains. “We see firsthand the issues that plastics are causing to our oceans every day.”

Walsh prefers to let the kids get their hands dirty and teaches plastic and pollution awareness in a hands-on way. Each Menehune Mayhem starts with a beach cleanup, courtesy of the groms and event coordinators.

“Instead of sitting them down and teaching the participants verbally, we try to teach them by example,” Walsh says.

Helping young surfers adapt to the mental stress of the contest scene is part of these events too.

Friendly competition is crucial—whether in the lineup or a game of tug-of-war.

In the past, altercations on the beach were commonplace in surf contests, with breaking a board or hurling verbal abuse at the judging panel being seen as a rite of passage for some competitors. Because Menehune Mayhem awards “outstanding sportsmanship,” these young surfers are learning how to be respectful in a contest jersey.

“It’s good to care about competing, but it’s important to control that passion and have respect for the competitors,” Walsh says.

I asked Riddle if there had been a lack of mentorship in surfing’s past, a time where the beach-bum lifestyle epitomized the sport. “There was some guidance,” he said, explaining that it came from team managers and local shapers who cared about the next generation. “But nothing like what it’s evolved into now.”

He went on to explain that although there are drugs and alcohol in surfing’s colorful history, “the kids growing up today, they’re not looking at that. They’re looking at guys like Kelly [Slater]. They’re looking at John John [Florence].” They’re looking up to surfers who are committed to their sport.

Surf contests like the Menehune Mayhem give kids the foundation to push the surfing and surfers forward, in and out of the water.

“Keeping them in the ocean keeps them out of trouble and will always give the kids something to fall back on and create positivity throughout their life,” says Blomfield (North Shore Menehune Surf Contest contest co-director). “The ocean is a natural resource that will be there to help them through anything.”

Speaking at the 2019 International Surf Therapy Symposium

The 2019 International Surf Therapy Symposium brought together an international coalition of over 300 surf therapy pioneers under one roof, and I had the honor to speak on a panel entitled “How Surfing Changes Lives”. Here’s a photo recap courtesy of Christina Cernik.

"Waves of Healing" Editorial Reviews

“Waves of Healing is a powerful and inspirational book—a must-read for anyone with a loved one on the autism spectrum. You will laugh and you will cry as author Cash Lambert passionately shares both the struggles and the triumphs of the autism journey as sand and surf become a form of therapy and healing for so many families.”
—Amy KD Tobik, editor-in chief of Autism Parenting Magazine

“Surfers and water-lovers have long talked about the mysterious healing power of the sea. With empathy, attention to detail, and skillful storytelling, Cash Lambert shows how real that healing power is, taking us deep into the struggles of living with autism, deep into the joyful stories of children literally paddling and riding their way to greater health and happiness. This is such a hopeful and potentially life-changing read.”
—Jaimal Yogis, author of All Our Waves Are Water and Saltwater Buddha

“Waves of Healing is a big-hearted story that will delight anyone who loves the ocean. Saltwater is a universal balm—Cash Lambert knows this deeply, and his commitment to sharing his experience in the surf with autistic kids and their families makes for an inspiring tale, beautifully told.”
—Susan Casey, author of Voices in the Ocean: A Journey Into the Wild and Haunting World of Dolphins

“As a firm believer in the many blessings of surf therapy for children on the spectrum, I was delighted to read Cash Lambert's uplifting and validating account of a season on the shore with Surfers for Autism. He writes with the head and heart of a surfer about the thrilling transformation that finds many children and families on the back of their shared surfing experiences—a must-read for anyone who accepts the healing power of stoke, and the rich, restorative energy to be mined from a community of like-minded souls.
—Daniel Paisner, co-author of Scratching the Horizon: A Surfing Life

“Perfect waves and empty beaches, the sport of surfing is easily romanticized, but at its core it possesses the power to change one's life. For those who struggle with autism, surfing can mean a freedom and joy like they've never experienced. Author Cash Lambert has taken the time to tell the story of this unlikely relationship. He tenderly makes the case for the healing powers of the sea, as well as how and why it can be so therapeutic for those on the autism spectrum. Waves of Healing will stoke you out, it will tug on your heartstrings, and it will make you reconsider what those with autism are capable of—and how one good ride can change everything.”
—Jake Howard, surf writer and editor of First Priority: A Father's Journey in Raising World Champion Surfer Carissa Moore

“Often, it’s difficult to understand the everyday struggles and small milestones that families raising a child with autism face, but Cash Lambert’s firsthand ride-along—both on land and in the sea—truly puts their lives into perspective. A deeply honest and eloquent account, Waves of Healing is a story of hope, and a discovery of what the therapeutic power of the ocean—and organizations like Surfers For Autism—can do.”
—Beau Flemister, former editor-at-large of Surfing Magazine and author of In the Seat of a Stranger’s Car

“Waves of Healing shows how a creative, nature-based approach is often the best way for healing and hope to flow into the lives of those coping with autism and into all lives. Lambert has written a book that is both important and profound.”
—David Athey, Professor of English, Palm Beach Atlantic University, author of Joan of the Everglades

American Surf Magazine Launches Digital Platform

Surf City, USA — American Surf Magazine (ASM) has officially launched its digital platform — AmericanSurfMagazine.com — to promote “surf coverage from sea to shining sea”, including American surf competition, American surfers, and the American surf culture at large. 

“I couldn’t be more excited about the launch,” said Cash Lambert, Founder and Editor in Chief of American Surf Magazine. 

Before starting American Surf Magazine, Lambert has worked in editorial roles with Eastern Surf Magazine, SURFING Magazine, and more recently as the Editor of Hawaii’s Freesurf Magazine. 

“We are excited to build content for American surfers that will educate, entertain, and inspire.” 

The digital platform seeks to cover a wide spectrum of surf competitions, from local grom contests to regional Eastern Surf Association (ESA) contests, the National Scholastic Surf Association (NSSA) Championships, Team USA competing internationally, the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour and more. 

The platform will also cover surf communities across America, including the West Coast, the East Coast, The Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, even river surfing, and more.

American Surf Magazine will also cover:

• in-depth profiles

• features

• industry news

• gear reviews like surf helmets, surf gloves, wetsuits, watches, hoods, hats, beach wagons, surf leggings, wetsuit hangers, wetsuit cleaner and more

• surf literature

• travel

• fitness

• Surf Guides, such as river surfing

• environment

• grom reports

• surf films and surf documentaries

• product reviews like portable surf showers, surf changing mats, beach tents, beach wagons, beach coolers, beach pillows and more

• safety reviews

• and more

The website is just one facet of the media company. Citing the vital role that print surf magazines have played in the surf community historically, American Surf Magazine aims to have a print magazine in the near future distributed nationwide.

“While our surf community has many qualities that set us apart — we ride different types of boards, we surf waves of different skill levels, some compete while others are just weekend warriors — American Surf Magazine exists to say that we are all united by surfing,” says Lambert. 

With the launch, American Surf Magazine is now open to contributors and advertisers as well as surf and beach gear for reviews.

To learn more, visit AmericanSurfMagazine.com.

American Surf Magazine Features Waves of Healing

American Surf Magazine featured Waves of Healing as one of “The 10 Best Surf Books to Read Today".

Is surfing actually therapeutic?

This is a question that Author Cash Lambert had after attending surf therapy events on Florida’s coast and seeing lives transformed by the simple act of riding a surfboard on a wave. To find an answer, he spent a year with a group of families who took their children with autism surfing.

His research is found in Waves of Healing: How Surfing Changes the Lives of Children with Autism.

The book includes the struggles children with autism face — the struggle to stand on a surfboard, the struggle to communicate, the struggle to make progress in a world which accepts “normal” and rejects all else. But they’re also stories of breakthroughs, of authentic joy and unbridled excitement as they learn to see their world from a whole new perspective — standing tall atop a surfboard, and riding a wave all their own.

What makes it one of the best surf books? It's an equal balance of beauty and emotion as you watch children with special needs progress in their surfing skill.

See the full article here.

Listen: Guest on the “Get WealthFit” Podcast

I was honored to be a guest on the ”GetWealthFit” Podcast —previous guests include Danica Patrick, Dennis Rodman, Kevin Harrington and more — discussing surf therapy and becoming an author.

Listen to the full interview right here:

"Slow down and every once in a while, talk to someone whether it's at Starbucks or in line next to you. You'll be surprised and, more importantly, inspired by who you meet."- Cash Lambert You can't judge a book by its cover.

Void Magazine Features "Waves of Healing"

Void Magazine allowed me to contribute to their annual “Do Good” magazine issue, where I wrote about how surfing is changing lives — no co-pay required.

The first time I saw surfing change the lives of children with special needs, I was standing with a surfboard on the sands of Jacksonville Beach. 

While it seemed like an ordinary beach day—waist-high swell filled the area just south of the pier as beachgoers flooded the wooden walkways—what was happening in the water was anything but ordinary. 

On this day, a nonprofit organization called Surfers for Autism offered to take children with autism surfing. If you aren’t familiar with autism, it’s a developmental disability that sees children struggle against difficulties with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and communication. This condition irrevocably changes the life of the child and the lives of everyone around them. According to the CDC, it affects one in 59 children. 

But at this surf event, those with an autism diagnosis were not walking statistics. Instead, they were surfers. 

Earlier in the day, families filled the beach, creating a makeshift city from their tents. Reggae music pumped out of the loudspeakers and surfboards lined the sand.

After a volunteer meeting, surfing—and the miracles—began. 

Here’s how it worked: an army of volunteers stood in a line parallel to the beach, and were introduced by SFA staff to participants. Some children were excited; others looked nervous and quiet, and some were in absolute meltdown, crying and sending sand in all directions. 

But none of that mattered once they entered the water, hand in hand with surf volunteers who called Jacksonville home. 

When the right wave came, volunteers pushed the participants atop surfboards while chanting phrases like “up up up!” and “You can do it!” 

Children diagnosed with nonverbal autism—who had rarely said any words to even their parents—were suddenly cheering and saying things like “I did it!” and asking for more with phrases like “Another wave!” Participants who were previously screaming on the beach in fear were suddenly calm, relaxed, and smiling. Some children were riding waves into shore as if they’d been doing so for years. Families and other volunteers formed a loud cheering section on the beach. Mothers and fathers cried. 

The surf session lasted all day. Speaking with the parents during the event, I realized there was more to the unique relationship between surfing and autism. This wasn’t just a fun event to attend on the weekends—surfing was therapeutic for these children. And there was no copay required. 

An avid surfer myself, I began to wonder exactly what made surfing therapeutic. What’s more, I was curious as to why a select group of families attended each Surfers for Autism event during their “Surf Tour.” Since the organization’s genesis in 2008, there have been 10-13 events up and down the Florida coast and these self-proclaimed groupies didn’t miss an event. 

The inaugural Jacksonville Beach event was in 2010. I spent the next four years with the organization, seeking to understand how surfing is therapeutic from a scientific and a personal level. I went to therapy sessions, birthday parties, and became part of this eclectic surfing family. All the while, I wrote down what I heard and experienced. 

I tell these families’ stories in Waves of Healing: How Surfing Changes the Lives of Children with Autism, published by Hatherleigh Press and Penguin Random House, which was released this year. These are stories about the struggles children with autism face—the struggle to stand on a surfboard, the struggle to communicate, the struggle to make progress in a world which accepts “normal” and rejects all else. But they’re also stories of breakthroughs, of authentic joy and unbridled excitement as the children learn to see their world from a whole new perspective — standing tall atop a surfboard, riding a wave all their own.

In my research, I learned how surfing can affect children with autism, how it can have a tremendous impact on parents and how it can unite a community.

In the book Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do, scientist Wallace J. Nichols explores scientific studies on why water is therapeutic, which I stumbled upon for the writing of my book. Here’s a short excerpt: 

Nichols writes: “There are all kinds of theories about why this happens. The water is stimulating visually, which fulfills some children’s sensory needs; water provides a safe and supported environment’ that surrounds the body with ‘hydrostatic pressure’ that ‘soothes and calms’ (as another expert said, it feels like the ultimate hug). Learning new motor skills like swimming, surfing or paddleboarding can have ‘a broad-ranging impact on the nervous system,’ according to William Greenough at the Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois: “There’s increased blood flow to crucial neurons, and the reshaping of abnormal structures in the front brain. But beyond that, surfing may be a vehicle to an emotional breakthrough, a way of reaching under the mask and perhaps connecting to kids like these.” Trying to balance and ride waves also provides them with a clear focus and keeps them in the present moment. 

Not only is surfing life-changing for those with autism. It also transforms the lives of parents, something I saw firsthand. You see, thanks to these organized surf events, for the first time families have a support network, someone to relate to and discuss their challenges with. On the beach in Jacksonville, as well as at other events, commonality was found, and bonds were born. 

I also saw communities rallying around these events and children with special needs. In city after city, food and water were donated for the families. Policemen and firefighters parked their cars in the beach parking lots so the participants (with sand covering their feet) could look inside and even finger paint on the exterior. Plus, local surfers were teaching their passion to participants and sharing in their excitement. To this day, many families have framed photos of their children standing alongside these volunteers on the beach. 

My book is not a story of the past. It is a story that, like one’s surfing ability, continues to evolve.

Here’s what I mean: Surfers for Autism has held its annual Jacksonville Beach event for a decade and expects to continue the tradition, inviting familiar and new faces to the beach each year. Attend an SFA event and you’ll find participants who had their lives changed by surfing years ago are now helping others with the same diagnosis experience therapeutic feelings, serving as volunteer surf instructors. Or you can attend other surf therapy events. Thanks to this rapidly growing trend, there are now dozens of surf therapy organizations along America’s coastlines.

As long as there are waves, there will be people riding waves of healing. Some of them though, need your help.