“I’d been searching so long for my place in the world,” Retired US Army Corporal Tommy Counihan recounted, “and it all started with me getting back out on the water. It’s like a switch went off. Instantly, I went from wanting to kill myself to wanting to conquer the f***ing world.”

17-year Navy Seal Veteran Alex West knows the feeling well. Growing up with an affinity for water, the opportunity to become an adaptive surf instructor for the naval hospital in San Diego was one he couldn’t pass up. He quickly learned just how therapeutic and life-changing surfing could be for his injured military colleagues. But, there was one problem. Many of the disabled Veterans couldn’t get out on the water safely with a standard surfboard. Alex started One More Wave, a nonprofit aimed at empowering Veterans to find healing through surf therapy by customizing boards and wetsuits. Each Veteran plays an active part in customizing their board and, in some cases, they work in shrapnel taken from their wounds.

Thanks to the Chive Charities family of donors, One More Wave is going to be able to create 3 custom surfboards.

Read their story and DONATE HERE.

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