Jamaica’s surf healer Imani Wilmot taps into ocean forces to empower women – Olympics

Surfing in Jamaica is never a solitary experience.

While surfers in other countries tend to look for a secluded spot, the waves near Wilmots home surf in Bull Bay are one big party.

"In Jamaica, the surfing community is very close," Wilmot said. "There are only, I would say, less than 100 of us on the island so you know everybody. And the big difference is we want to go surfing with each other. A lot of places in the world, you try to find that spot where there's nobody surfing. We don't want that. That's boring. So you call people up, you get on WhatsApp, you say, 'Hey, are you surfing here? Are you surfing there?' And you try to put a group of people together."

Having enjoyed the benefits of being part of this community, Wilmot is eager to have other female surfers experience it as well. To that effect, she has started up Surf Girls Jamaica a women-only surf camp that gives girls essential skills to get started in the sport.

Aside from the physical benefits of surfing, Wilmot said there are many mental benefits as well.

The athlete has multiple certifications in surf therapy and follows the Blue Mind Theory. Originating from marine biologist Dr. Wallace Nichols, this theory looks at the way that people can use water to improve well-being, creativity and productivity.

"It's been proven that being in the ocean actually reduces your blood pressure and it calms you down," Wilmot said. "One of the cool things I've learned doing surf therapy is that the salinity of the ocean is the same as the amniotic fluid, so once you're in the ocean your body will start to heal and reset because it's a familiar environment for you."

On a psychological level, the Blue Mind Theory suggests that being in or near the water can help with trauma, inflammation and anxiety. And when it comes to societies where girls regularly find themselves in vulnerable situations, the ability to tap into these benefits through surfing can be priceless.

"It can be very empowering," Wilmot said. "It also is a very grounding sport. It takes your mind off of everything else that's happening. The only thing you can really think about in the water while you're surfing is surfing. You can't focus on anything else. And I think translating that into real life is something that is beneficial to these girls, like dealing with issues one day at a time, one step at a time, one wave at a time."

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Jamaica's surf healer Imani Wilmot taps into ocean forces to empower women - Olympics