Purpose: Cascais regularly organises intercultural activities not only to encourage social cohesion but also to help young people to improve their self-appreciation and self-esteem.
Stimulus/Rationale: The first project called “Surf.Art '' is an experimental project that, through the practice of Surfing and contact with nature, aims to improve social welfare and success in the lives of children and young people, through the practice of Surfing and contact with nature. The second project, called “Inverte '' (Reverse) uses the practice of bodyboarding (a water sport) as a non-formal education methodology to help problematic young people with pre-delinquent behaviours to rebuild their lives. This project is not merely composed of practising sport: the Portuguese Bodyboard Association (APB) also provides activities to improve group dynamics and team building.
Process: Pressley Ridge Association is a partner of the City Council within the scope of the project Surf.Art - Dare to Realise and Transform. Through the encouragement of a sport such as surfing, it is intended to promote in these children skills such as autonomy, freedom of expression and management of emotions and thus develop resilience, improve personal and family relationships and promote motivation for school learning.
The project has the collaboration and partnership of several organisations, namely the Recreational and Cultural Club of Quinta dos Lombos, which has been providing 5 surf lessons per week (2nd to 6th) on Carcavelos beach. The more technical follow-up of the children is ensured by a psychologist from Pressley Ridge who, through his work with the participants, aims to transfer the learnings made to the daily life of these children. Two primary schools in Cascais are active partners, engaging their students into the project.
Impact: So far, 65 children have been taught how to surf while learning deeper aspects of humans’ lives, such as autonomy, freedom of expression and how to manage emotions. Thus, children are developing resilience, while improving personal and family relationships. More importantly, children are also doing better at school: they are more motivated and more willing to study and learn.
Key reference documents: https://www.cascais.pt/projeto/surfart
