Operation Surf connects veterans, active military through surfing

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Operation Surf, a nonprofit organization that brings active-duty military and veterans together to hit the waves, is back in Santa Cruz.

“We're a 501(c) non profit organization based out of Avila Beach. It's down in San Luis Obispo, california, and we introduce veterans to surfing and try to provide that as a form of wellness in their lives," Operation Surf program manager and veteran John Hallet said.

Operation Surf is an application-based program that receives submissions from around the world. Van Curaza is the founder of the nonprofit and an avid surfer for over 45 years. He said being a recovering addict inspired him to start the program.

"When I had five years of sobriety, I realized that helping others and being of service to others is part of my solution to continue, you know, my wellness and it's just part of what helps me," Curuza said.

Curaza said he wanted to use the surfboard to help calm the loud noise in the lives of active-duty military and veterans.

"You know, turmoil and chaos in their lives, and a lot of transition, of change, you know, a lot of limb loss in the early days," Curaza said. "And I could see how they were smiling, even though, you know, they obviously had, you know, some significant results of being in combat.

On Cowell Beach on March 25, people in the program participated in a paddle-out ceremony

“[It's] in remembrance of somebody who's passed away. And we incorporated that into our program quite a few years ago as a way for the veterans that kind of grieve, and also to share funny stories or different, you know, up-hearted like lifting experiences for their of their buddies and stuff like that that they've lost," Hallet said.

Operation Surf has introduced surfing to first-timers including retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Juan “Johnny” Alvarez.

“[I] served 23 years and obviously injured as an amputee. And I'm like, alright, you know, maybe as an old man, I can, I can start surfing. And so again, I was so grateful that this organization exists," Alvarez said.
“There's 10 of us and it's difficult sometimes to, you know, especially in the military, we need to do things for others. And, you know, it's an opportunity to soak in all that love and support”

Alvarez said he’s set his sights on reaching specific surfing goals this week.

"My goal is to be able to stand. I got to stand yesterday. I was kind of in a tripod position. I hope by the end of the week, I'll be up and balanced and maybe even get him on the board for a little," Alazvez said.

Most importantly, he said the connection to other veterans in the program is priceless.

“You're able to relate, and you're able to exchange, and you think you might have worked your way through certain things. And then you know, you help someone else out along their journey. And again, it's a camaraderie, your brothers and your sisters that you know, you know would that would lay their lives down," Alvarez said. "All of us here have lost someone. All of us here almost ourselves. You know, we've gone at some point so and to and to see the love and the support."

Operation Surf will continue for the rest of the week with the participants surfing in Capitola on Wednesday and Thursday.