Talking Surf Therapy with Chris Antao, Founder of Gnome Surf Therapy

“Where do I even start!!! So many things to list off, but biggest that fact Gnome Surf IS LOVE and it radiates through every single instructor, volunteer, athlete and parent. I have never encountered such a loving, non-judgemental and inclusive community as this. When I told Oliver that he was going surfing again this week, you should have seen him…screaming “yesssss”, jumping up and down and running around with excitement. I can only compare it to winning the lottery, but in reality we have! Oliver has gone through such an incredibly challenging few years and his instructors have been instrumental in reaffirming that he is loved, he does matter and he is accepted, and with that came his confidence and his light started to shine again. This really is a family and this is by far the best decision we’ve ever made for O. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

“I met Chris through the Accelerator program at the Social Enterprise Greenhouse in the fall of 2020. As a program coach, I came into contact with a number of inspiring entrepreneurs, but Chris stood out for his vision, his commitment to making the world a better place and, more than anything, for his ability to convince an audience that he actually could and would execute on his plan. As the Covid-19 pandemic was peaking, Matouk was making acceleration plans of our own to reinvest our resources in Fall River area organizations that could make a meaningful impact on the lives of our neighbors. Born from that particular moment in time, Chris and I struck up a partnership that has helped both of our organizations, and both of us as leaders, grow into the best versions of what we could be. I couldn’t be prouder of Chris for the impact Gnome has had on the lives of so many children in need. And I feel lucky that Matouk has been able to ride this beautiful wave with him.”

“Gnome Surf IS LOVE and it radiates through every single instructor, volunteer, athlete and parent. I have never encountered such a loving, non-judgemental and inclusive community as this. When I told my son that he was going surfing again this week, you should have seen him…screaming “yesssss”, jumping up and down and running around with excitement. I can only compare it to winning the lottery, but in reality we have! He has gone through such an incredibly challenging few years and his instructors have been instrumental in reaffirming that he is loved, he does matter and he is accepted, and with that came his confidence and his light started to shine again. This really is a family and this is by far the best decision we’ve ever made for him. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

“Fantastic instructors, so kind and energetic. My grandson … will be back again next year. He loves it! Love watching all the other kids succeed.”

“We took our girls to attend their first ever event with Gnome Surf yesterday at Nahant Beach. One of them has autism and can’t swim, one does not have autism and swims very well. Both girls HAD A BLAST, and mom cried like a baby because I was so moved and proud to see them both participating and enjoying surf with the most amazing people ever! Thank you so much to you and your team for seriously giving our whole family the BEST.DAY.EVER! The instructors were so patient and celebrated with our girls with a high five every step of the way. We can’t wait to come again, as I feel like continuing to do this will build both of their confidence socially and their skills in the water as well. LET’S GOOO!!!!”

“My son has a learning disability and was relentlessly bullied at school. He has been consistently surfing with Gnome for 3 years and the positive feedback he has gotten from the Gnome Surf Therapy team has drastically improved his confidence. He is less shy and doing 100% better socially this year. The role modeling he sees at Gnome is something he has internalized and he views Brig and Chris as highly cool guys and sees their kindness and gentleness on display and wants to be like them versus the kids who have treated him unkindly at school-it has helped him realize how wrong those kids are and that he doesn’t deserve it.”

“I have two kids with disabilities who have tried your program. One of my kids is not strong and his instructors differentiated the instruction to suit his needs. They accommodated him, boosted his confidence, and gave him the opportunity to feel like he could really do this. My other child is strong, but was intimidated. His instructors brought joy and fun, enthusiasm and excitement to show him that he could walk into the ocean with confidence.”

“I was able to celebrate with him today in a way that we were so connected because I myself have also been surfing with the women’s group. I have always had a difficult time connecting with Aaron as we are very different but I kept trying and started surfing to have something in common with him. I never imagined what would happen next. I was able to relate to my son in awesome new ways, but also it became such therapy for me. I work many hours as a trauma mental health therapist, and didn’t know that I needed surfing as much as I did. When I surf I’m not a mom, I’m not a therapist, and nothing else exists – just the next wave that I’m looking for. My brain gets a break and leaves me refreshed so that I can help others and be a good mom and wife.”

“The social impact can’t be put into words.. especially for someone like Luke who is now 20. It’s MUCH harder as these kids get older, and almost non existent (aside from family) outside of school. I had heard about the “age cliff” of 20+ but now that we have reached it feels like we landed on a lonely planet it’s a hard reality slap. Surfing for Luke is literally his social lifeline in the summer and solves the loneliness that can happen with a lot of free time. I don’t know what we would do without it. He is a really social kid who needs friendship. He gets it at surfing 1-2 times a week and then we really struggle. So Gnome fills a gigantic hole… I think it’s really nice as parents to be able to go somewhere where you don’t stand out, you stand WITH. It’s not something that just happens to us regularly.”