“I’m not a veteran,” said Van Curaza. “But where this all started from was childhood trauma. Dealing with life, not knowing where I belonged, diminished self-worth and self-esteem… and I found surfing. I found an opportunity to find value and credibility that didn’t come from a human being.”
Van’s story isn’t typical, but then again, neither is Operation Surf. The nonprofit he founded brings together wounded veterans and active-duty service members for a week of ocean therapy, community, and transformation. For many, it’s more than a surfing experience. It’s the first time in a long time that they’ve felt peace, connection, or purpose.
On a recent episode of The Lasting Mission podcast, Van and U.S. Army veteran John Hallett joined Mission Roll Call to talk about how Operation Surf came to be, and how it continues to change lives, including their own.
Watch or listen to the full episode here.
A New Path After Service
John Hallett joined the Army after 9/11. “Something inside me told me to serve my country and maybe figure out what I wanted to do with my life,” he recalled. He married his high school sweetheart and served for 14 years, most of that time as a scout in the infantry.
After multiple deployments and a medical retirement in 2016, John found himself in a different kind of battle, this time with depression, anxiety, and a growing list of prescriptions. “Every time I went to the VA, I got a new medication,” he said.
Like many veterans, John felt completely untethered after leaving the military. “The military is so encompassing—your job, your housing, your community, your friends. Everything is in this bubble. And it’s hard to come out of that.”
That’s when he found Operation Surf.
“It gave me something I wanted in my life again,” he said. Today, John is Operation Surf’s Program Manager, helping other veterans find the same healing and purpose.
More Than a Surfboard
At the heart of Operation Surf is the belief that connection, especially to nature and to each other, is key to healing. Each program immerses veterans in a new experience, pairing them with surf instructors and volunteers who become instant family. It’s not just about learning to ride the waves. It’s about rediscovering joy, learning to trust again, and remembering what it feels like to be fully alive.
Van, who is over 22 years sober, said service is what keeps him grounded. “What I’ve found in this journey is that, for my own self-care and wellness, being of service and helping other people is most important. And it’s what brought me to this place and Operation Surf.”
One Way to Support
On July 21, 2025, Operation Surf will host its 12th Annual Charles D. Perriguey Jr. Charity Golf Tournament at the San Luis Obispo Country Club. This special event honors the legacy of a decorated Marine and longtime Operation Surf supporter, with all proceeds benefiting their programs for veterans, active-duty service members, special operations forces, and their spouses.
To learn more, participate, or explore sponsorship opportunities, visit: Operation Surf Golf Tournament Details
Healing That Lasts
The impact of Operation Surf reaches far beyond the beach. Participants leave with stronger mental health, lifelong friendships, and often a renewed desire to keep going even when things feel dark.
“When you’re in the darkness,” John said, “you feel isolated and alone. I have had several times in my life when I felt that. Operation Surf showed me I wasn’t alone.”
For veterans struggling with the invisible wounds of war, and for those simply seeking a place to belong after military service, this organization offers more than an escape. It offers a way forward.
Learn more about Operation Surf, hear Van and John’s full stories, and discover how surfing is helping veterans heal—one wave at a time.