Surfers casually call their sport therapy - but a Tauranga drug and alcohol counsellor is proving it a reality.
Krista Davis has launched a new charity, Live for More, that helps struggling young men back on track through the rush of board riding.
"Surfing is just the best drug out
there," she said. "It's healthy, it's free, it's safe most days and it makes you feel incredible." Since she was a teenager, Californian-born Davis - who moved to New Zealand five years ago - has wanted to use surfing as a means to work with people battling drug and alcohol issues.
"I started a surf therapy programme a few years ago and it has developed more and more." It resulted in her programme, Tai Watea, or Waves of Freedom, which is targeted at 17-25-year-olds.
On Mt Maunganui beach, the group plays a touch rugby game on the beach to warm-up then dons wetsuits and hits the water. "Counselling doesn't have to be in an office sitting in a comfy chair looking at each other - teaching them this new skill, they get a sense of accomplishment.
