On a warm Friday afternoon at Croatan Beach, a group of wounded veterans paddled into the surf and, for a few hours, traded shorelines of isolation for a shared stretch of coastline and community. The Wounded Warrior Project teamed with local nonprofit VB Surf Sessions to stage a surfing clinic aimed at rebuilding the social bonds many veterans say frayed after military service.
More than lessons in balance — building community
Organizers described the clinic as an opportunity for connection as much as recreation. In conversations before and after sessions, veterans spoke about the ways programs like this help them stay present with family, reestablish purpose and process loss. Event leaders said the hands-on activity and relaxed beach setting make it easier for veterans to open up and form lasting relationships.
- Location: Croatan Beach, Virginia Beach
- Partners: Wounded Warrior Project and VB Surf Sessions
- Purpose: Surf instruction, peer connection, referral to veteran resources
The personal accounts underscored why community-based programs matter in Virginia Beach, a city with a large military-connected population. One Marine veteran at the event emphasized how important his role as a parent has become, saying his time with the organization helped him be more present at home. An Army veteran who lost eight fellow soldiers during deployment described how the clinic, and the broader support it represents, helped him regain purpose.
“Thanks to Wounded Warrior Project, I get to be present,” one veteran said.
Local impact, statewide trend
Organizers pointed to survey data showing loneliness is a widespread problem among wounded veterans: roughly two in three reported feeling lonely. Events like the surf clinic are part of a broader push across Virginia to expand veteran services beyond clinical care — into peer-led activities, outdoor therapy and community building that can complement mental health treatment.
| Statistic | Source |
|---|---|
| 2 in 3 veterans reported feeling lonely | Wounded Warrior Project |
Local organizers said the beach setting is intentional: water-based activities can be calming and provide a neutral space where veterans can share stories without the pressure of a formal clinic. The hope, they added, is that attachments formed at the event lead veterans to other community resources and ongoing peer support.
For Virginia Beach residents, this is part of a pattern of local nonprofits using the city’s coastal assets to deliver services — from surf therapy to recreational programs that encourage social connection. As communities across the state look for ways to address veteran isolation, the Croatan Beach clinic offers a practical model: pair outdoor activity with trusted veteran organizations, and make room for both skill-building and conversation.
Organizers said more clinics and similar events are planned in the months ahead, with the aim of keeping veterans connected to one another and to services that can help with long-term recovery and reintegration.
