KINGSTON, R.I. – Sept. 9, 2026 – A surf therapy program run by a University of Rhode Island professor is inviting young people with blindness or visual impairment to join a study looking at the impact of surf therapy.
Emily Clapham, an associate professor of health and physical education in URI’s Feinstein College of Education, started the program in 2010 for youth with a range of disabilities and has seen tremendously positive outcomes over the past several years. Clapham also coordinates the University’s Adapted Physical Education program.
The new surf therapy program for visually impaired children is part of her graduate student Wendy Flanagan’s master’s project. Flanagan, a 2026 URI graduate with degrees in health and physical education and adapted physical education, has worked with Clapham in the URI Surf Therapy Program for three years. Their expansion of surf therapy to children with visual impairments is supported by a recent grant from the John E. Fogarty Foundation.
URI’s Surf Therapy Program served approximately 50 children last year, ages 3 to 21, and continues to grow.
The pilot program is open to children and teenagers ages 5 to 17 with blindness or visual impairment. Participants will take part in a research study examining how adapted surf therapy may affect physical skills and perceived self-competence.
Attendees will participate in free adapted surf therapy for five weeks. They will also complete a physical movement/activity assessment, with use of auditory and tactile supports for adapted activities; complete questionnaires about their experiences; and reflect on their experience with the surf therapy program overall.
The program will be held at Narragansett Town Beach on Saturdays from Sept. 12 to Oct. 10; no swimming experience is required and individualized support is provided. Participation is free and voluntary. Wetsuits and safety equipment will be available.
Volunteers are also welcome.
Those interested in having their child attend the URI Surf Therapy Program, learning more or volunteering, contact Emily Clapham at eclapham@uri.edu or Wendy Flanagan at wendy_flanagan@uri.edu.