A group of injured Commandos have taken part in a week of surfing as part of their ongoing road to recovery.
Arranging the event for HMS Drake’s Personnel Support Group, (PSG) Chief Petty Officer Angie Cheal once again secured funding via the NAAFI Covenant Fund, making it the 12th event organised this year for medically downgraded service personnel.
Several of those now ‘Surf Veterans’ had themselves been on similar courses when in the services and spent time with the Royal Navy, Royal Marines Recovery Centre Hasler, also based at HMS Drake.
The Royal Marines, all from the Commando Logistics Regiment (CLR) based at RMB Chivenor near Barnstaple, spent the week overcoming their injuries to learn the intricacies of surfing with instructors from Bude Surf Veterans (BSV), a local Surfing charity set up by surf shop owner Paul Strickney.
BSV gives military veterans and their families the opportunity to socialise, surf and support one another in an informal and friendly setting, without any judgement or questioning.
One veteran, Kev Dring a former Naval rating, who struggled with his own health issues said:
“In 2018 I started to feel more and more anxious, and it got to the point where I began to stutter, which only made my anxiety worse.
“I was moved to PSG in Devonport to focus on my recovery, and there I met Angie who asked me if I would like to take part in a water activities week, for those who are medically downgraded. To my delight I found it really helped me relax. From there I was selected to take part in Op Surf, an event which Help for Heroes ran with the Operation Surf Charity from the United States.
“The week literally changed my life, as I fell in love with surfing! When surfing I found a place where I was at ease and comfortable, and it played a huge part in my recovery.
“Now, five years later, I have based my life around Bude and am a fully qualified surf coach.
“These weeks really mean a lot to me and my colleagues, there is something really special and rewarding about giving back to those who are going through the same thing that you have.”
