Veterans of Combined Forces Surfing Association (VCFSA)

We need your help?

Our goal is to help veterans whether wounded by physical or physiological effects of their service. We need assistance in raising funds to allow us to put free surfing events up and down New Zealand.

We aim to hold regular events bringing the veteran community together. At these free events we will be offering, to our members, free surfing lessons, equipment hire i.e. wetsuits, surfboards, beach BBQ, tea and coffee, surfing competitions, merchandise to purchase and free surf sessions.

These events are completely funded by VCFSA NZ and are offered to veterans, anyone that is still serving and the wider veteran community.

Transitioning into civilian life comes with challenges and risks such as, PTSD, depression related illnesses, alcohol/drug abuse and suicide. With other campaigns raising awareness of the increase. Most Veterans struggle to find a career/life balance that matches the defence force, many isolate themselves, feel as though they don't fit in, have relationship problems, with some never finding a way to get back on track. Loneliness and boredom after serving adds to the problem.

Surfing is physically and sometimes mentally challenging. These equivalent risks/challenges are like being in the forces.

Surfing turns the focus from ourselves and forces us to live in the moment. This allows anxieties to be pushed aside. Surfing is not the solution to all ones woes or social problems, its not a cure but there is definitely something there....something that gives us something....

VCFSA'S founder and I am sure many veterans alike (not forgetting their family members) may have all shared and experienced similar trials and tribulations transitioning in to civilian life. Surfing and enjoying beach culture with VCFSA can offer a healthy and fun way to relieve these stresses.

When you are standing up riding a wave connected with the ocean and being given a ‘hoot’ of your fellow veterans there is no feeling quite like it.

We aim to publish, educate, research and have available resources on mental health from the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand Mauri tu mauri Ora, Veterans affairs, Returned Service Association and similar overseas agencies and have available partnering professional support services catering to the needs of our members.

It's important to note we don't offer a counselling or clinical service, neither can we recommend GPs or counsellors, but we can point you in the right direction to get the help you need and support you all the way.