About the Program
The Canteen is a virtual opportunity accessible to all current, past, and future participants of Operation Surf that allows them to ‘Come to Renew.’ The Canteen provides a continual source of support and community and it allows our participants to create connections when they need it most. We discovered the importance of this program and made it a permanent program of Operation Surf. By extending our support beyond the ocean and into daily the lives of those we served, we are making a lasting impact on the lives of our veteran community.
If you have been a participant of an Operation Surf program in the past and would like to receive more information about this program, please email us at info@operationsurf.org
Quick Links
Schedule
- Mondays at 10 AM PST
Coffee with the Team - Every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 11 AM PST
Warrior Women Wednesday - Thursdays at 5:30 PM PST
Highs and Lows
Previous Guest Speakers
Shawn Dollar, 2x Guinness Book of World Record Holder
After a catastrophic, life-changing surfing accident off the coast of Big Sur, California, Shawn Dollar broke his neck and was eventually diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI). Shawn shared his healing journey with our community to bring education and awareness to progressive therapy options to healing TBI’s, which is extremely common among combat military and veterans.
“My journey back to health has been painful, frightening, challenging, and it is now turning into a big adventure.”
Kai Lenny, World Champion Big Wave Surfer
A big-wave World Champion surfer, all-around waterman, and sports enthusiasts joined Operation Surf for Veterans Day Special on The Canteen to share the stoke with our veteran community. Kai Lenny shared our minds’ power and the ability to recognize that negative mindsets derive from unhealthy behaviors. By creating consistency in his life, Kai explained to our community, to refocus on activities that bring joy like exercise, music, and surfing daily.
Mindset plays a significant role in Kai’s success throughout his career as he uses visualization techniques to prepare for riding Big Waves while he practices technique on smaller waves.
“Subconsciously, I was taking away the unknown. Fear of the unknown.”
Program Testimonials
"Operation Surf was refreshing and fun! Of course, it was really great to learn to surf, but OS is so much more than just surfing. Never having surfed before and not being very comfortable in the ocean, I was forced to get out of my own way and trust the process. Being able to accomplish something I thought I wouldn't be able to do was very rewarding, and it ignited a fire in me that I had let go dim. I feel rejuvenated and self-confident again. I look forward to trying new things, going on more adventures, and enjoying the sport of surfing for many years to come."
"The fact that I was able to completely disconnect from work and fully submerge myself in the experience without any obligations opened up many doors for relaxation, resetting, refocusing, rebuilding, bonding, and both personal and relational healing. We were both struggling individually and as a couple prior to this trip. The professionalism, relatability, enthusiasm, excitement, openness, and care that every single member of Operation Surf displayed towards us and one another was contagious. They helped us find our individual selves again and helped save our marriage."
"Operation Surf was hands-down the greatest trip that I have ever been on. We travel the world for our jobs and get to see and do things that most people can only dream of, but that’s often filled with guilt while my wife is left juggling her own work, the kids, and everything else life throws at her. We spend a substantial amount of time away from each other with all of the trips, training, and deployments. Getting to share this experience with my wife by my side and finding a new, exciting activity that we both immediately fell in love with truly made this a trip of a lifetime."