CAF’s Operation Rebound program exists to support U.S. veterans, active military, and first responders with permanent physical disabilities as they move from the frontline to the finish line. Along the Southern California coastline, that mission comes to life through year-round surf clinics that offer far more than time in the water. These clinics create space for healing, connection, and the opportunity to rebuild strength, confidence, and identity through movement. 

Since 2005, Operation Rebound has expanded access to adaptive sports by providing equipment, coaching, training, and community support. For many veterans and first responders, these opportunities are not recreational extras. They are a lifeline. Sport has been shown to reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress, improve physical and mental health, and decrease isolation. Just as importantly, it restores routine, purpose, and the powerful feeling of forward progress. 

What Operation Rebound Does 

Operation Rebound provides grants and year-round programming that help athletes return to sports they love or discover new ways to move. Many participants face significant financial barriers. Fifty-nine percent of Operation Rebound grantees live on less than $25,000 per year, making specialized adaptive equipment difficult or impossible to afford without support. By removing these barriers, Operation Rebound ensures that athletes have access to movement, progress, and community. 

The impact reaches far beyond sport. Veterans with major injuries are three times more likely to struggle with the transition to civilian life. Through programs like surf clinics, athletes build resilience, reduce stress, and form meaningful social connections. These experiences also support long-term health. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs attributes billions of dollars each year to preventable weight-related medical costs, and adaptive sports play an important role in reducing that risk by promoting regular physical activity and healthier routines. 

 Who the Surf Clinics Serve 

Operation Rebound surf clinics are designed for veterans, active-duty military members, and first responders with permanent physical disabilities, including those resulting from injury, illness, or service-related events. Participants arrive with a wide range of athletic backgrounds. Some are returning to sport after years away, while others are trying surfing for the very first time. 

What connects them is the need for access, understanding, and a supportive environment. The clinics prioritize choice and autonomy, allowing athletes to engage at their own pace and in ways that align with their goals. That flexibility helps build trust and encourages continued participation long after the clinic ends. 

Year-Round Surf Clinics That Build Confidence and Connection 

Operation Rebound surf clinics take place throughout the year at locations including Mission Beach, Del Mar, and La Jolla. Athletes learn paddling techniques, balance, ocean safety, and adaptive skills tailored to their individual abilities. Many clinics also introduce heart rate variability training, giving athletes practical tools to better understand stress and work toward balance in daily life. 

Each clinic is supported by experienced coaches, volunteers, and fellow veterans who create an environment rooted in trust and encouragement. The ocean becomes a place to focus, breathe, and reset. Through surfing, athletes practice resilience and learn how to respond to challenges in real time, building habits that extend well beyond the shoreline. 

Nico Marcolongo, Senior Manager of Operation Rebound, often shares that the impact of sport becomes even more meaningful when athletes experience it together. Surf clinics provide space for shared understanding, celebration of small wins, and mutual support. That sense of belonging is often what keeps athletes coming back and moving forward. 

Why This Work Matters 

The healing power of sport is strongest when it becomes part of an athlete’s everyday life. Through surf clinics and other adaptive programs, veterans and first responders rebuild confidence, establish healthy routines, and reconnect with a supportive community. Many participants report improvements not only in physical health, but also in mental well-being and overall outlook. 

Sport creates momentum, purpose, and stability at a time when many veterans and first responders are navigating major life transitions. Operation Rebound ensures that no one has to face recovery alone. Through surfing and adaptive opportunities, athletes find strength, connection, and the belief that their next chapter can be full of possibility.