Catch a wave! Gnome Surf Therapy offers adaptable surf exercises for all
Thomas Jupin is assisted by Instructor Bre at Old Rochester Regional High School on Friday, May 22. Photos by Mari Huglin
A board with a tether helps students balance and practice what it is like to be on a surfboard. 
Sean Sullivan steps on an Indo board and is helped by instructor Isabella. 
Nikolas Guttenberger and is helped by instructor Josh.
Traeh Carrington practices his surf stance. 
Joseph Morris balances with instructor Josh. 
Instructor Stephanie explains a drill to Nikolas Guttenberger and Aveil Ward. 
Sean Sullivan smiles at the event. 
Hayden Perry practices his balance. 
Kymani Williams shreds on the surfboard at the elementary school. Image source: Rosemary Williams 
Kaimari Williams practices his stance. Image source: Rosemary Williams 
Elementary school students got to join in on the fun. Image source: Rosemary Williams 
An Old Rochester junior high schooler throws up a shaka. Image source: Rosemary Williams
Thomas Jupin is assisted by Instructor Bre at Old Rochester Regional High School on Friday, May 22. Photos by Mari Huglin
A board with a tether helps students balance and practice what it is like to be on a surfboard.
Sean Sullivan steps on an Indo board and is helped by instructor Isabella.
Nikolas Guttenberger and is helped by instructor Josh.
Traeh Carrington practices his surf stance.
Joseph Morris balances with instructor Josh.
Instructor Stephanie explains a drill to Nikolas Guttenberger and Aveil Ward.
Sean Sullivan smiles at the event.
Hayden Perry practices his balance.
Kymani Williams shreds on the surfboard at the elementary school. Image source: Rosemary Williams
Kaimari Williams practices his stance. Image source: Rosemary Williams
Elementary school students got to join in on the fun. Image source: Rosemary Williams
An Old Rochester junior high schooler throws up a shaka. Image source: Rosemary Williams
MATTAPOISETT — Everyone can surf with a program based out on the South Coast catering to athletes of all ages and abilities.
Gnome Surf Therapy spent the day working with Old Rochester Regional elementary, junior high and high school students teaching them surf exercises that can be applied in the classroom on Friday, May 22.
Stephanie Lawrence is a yoga and surf instructor and has been involved with the program for five years.
This is the fourth year Gnome Surf Therapy has implemented school programs over the winter and spring season.
Lawrence said the program comes into schools to teach surf skills and breathing exercises that translate to heart health and social skills.
The program is open to people of all ages and all abilities and has been implemented from kindergarteners to high schoolers.
Lawrence said her favorite part of being a coach is watching athletes cheer each other on and practice the techniques they learned.
“It is amazing to see the athletes accomplishing their goals, crushing them, getting up on the surfboard and riding that wave and then seeing all of their support on the beach cheering for them,” Lawrence said.
Rosemary Williams is an Old Rochester social worker who brought Gnome Surf to the schools. Her sons have been surfing with the organization since they were 3-years-old.
She said Gnome Surf Therapy is all about inclusion, kindness and building confidence.
“I think a lot of the exercises that they do, especially the ones that focus on breath work, also help to focus on maintaining attention within the classroom setting, so everything is related to school somehow,” Williams said.
She said she hopes the program expands and can come back to Old Rochester multiple times next year.
Isabella Museler is one of the surf instructors and has been involved with the program for three years.
She is in her junior year of university studying psychology and plans to get a doctorate in occupational therapy.
Museler said she loves when athletes feel proud of themselves especially when they catch a wave, even though the focus of the program.
She said their goal is for athletes to have “the best day ever” and allow them to experience the therapeutic side of surfing and exercising.
Museler explained Gnome Surf Therapy tries to build up athletes’ confidence and physical well-being.
“We like to say that in the water surfing is not necessarily the goal, it's our vessel for [the athletes] to feel like they can accomplish things,” she said.
Her favorite part of volunteering with the program is working with athletes and seeing how they progress over time.
“I really love when, if I've worked with an athlete for a certain amount of time, seeing them grow and come into themselves and be a little bit more confident,” Museler said.
