About Us

The Ocean is The Way of Healing

Meet Our Team

Each program is led by two trained facilitators:

A Surf Therapy Facilitator, who is a board-certified therapist, and a Surf Safety Facilitator, a certified surf instructor trained in our Surf Therapy and Trauma-Informed Care protocols. Together, they uphold the highest standards of physical and psychological safety—creating a space where participants can dive deep, ride waves, wipe out, and paddle back out again with resilience and support.

Jody Wilfong M.M., MT-BC

Surf Therapy Facilitator

Jody is the founder of Surf Therapy Santa Cruz and lead surf therapy facilitator; she received her Master's and Bachelor's of Music in Music Therapy from Michigan State University and is a Board-Certified Music Therapist. Jody currently provides music therapy to children and adults with varying diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, neurodivergent populations, and addiction recovery. Experience in clinical music therapy work includes neuro-rehabilitation, emphasizing Neurologic Music Therapy, with which she published her thesis entitled “The Effects of Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation [RAS] on gait training for Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury.” Jody is also an active presenter of music therapy in-services and workshops nationwide. Her research interests include Psychoneuroimmunology and music imagery, palliative pain care management with music, the effects of expressive art forms on the body’s immune system, and of course, Surf Therapy.

Ryan Augenstein

Lead Surf Therapy Safety Facilitator

Ryan was born and raised in Santa Cruz where he worked as a Junior Guards Instructor and lifeguard before surfing professionally.He's travelled the world as a sponsored surfer and has also competed on the Big Wave World Tour. Ryan is an Instructor and General Manager at Surf School Santa Cruz. He's supported other groups such as Waves of Impact and Ride a Wave.

Program Details