Before Feb. 24, 2022, Henichesk was a sanctuary where kitesurfers and extreme sports enthusiasts found freedom. This small town on the shores of the Azov Sea had ideal conditions for surfing – steady winds and shallow waters. It was home to a growing community of athletes, artists, musicians, volunteers, and those simply seeking inspiration.
In 2019, Wave Spot was born – a series of sports and music festivals that gathered thousands of guests from across Ukraine. One of the most iconic moments was a performance by German artist Jan Blomqvist at the famous pink salt lake, which later garnered tens of thousands of views on YouTube. In 2022, after the full-scale invasion, Jan used this recording to raise funds for the HUTIR project, aimed at building modular housing for displaced persons in Ukraine.
Invasion: when the waves went silent
In the first hours of the full-scale Russian invasion, Henichesk was occupied. The kitesurfing base was destroyed, and the town became an administrative center for the occupying forces. A once vibrant and free space was turned into a zone of fear and control.
Most members of the community were forced to leave. Some became volunteers, while others took up arms to defend Ukraine. One such individual was Anton, callsign “Farmer,” one of the founders of the community, who enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In the summer of 2024, while defending Ukraine, he was seriously wounded by a missile strike.
“I was lying in a hospital after being wounded and saw young men, 20 to 25 years old,” Anton recalls. “But I didn’t see joy on their faces. They had survived, but they had lost limbs, health, and hope. There was emptiness in their eyes. Then I remembered how in 2019, surfing and water gave me a new meaning in life. And I thought – why not try to do something similar for our guys?”
The birth of Cossack Wave and the Surf HUTIR project
Out of this shared experience of war and displacement, the Cossack Wave Public Organization was born. It emerged as a collective effort of former Wave Spot community members, volunteers, and veterans who wanted to create something lasting and meaningful. Understanding the deep psychological wounds inflicted by war, the organization aimed to transform the energy of surfing into a tool for mental and physical recovery.
Through extensive research and community engagement, Surf HUTIR became the first major initiative of Cossack Wave, uniting international expertise, modern technology, and a mission of rehabilitation. What started as a response to displacement – modular housing for those who lost their homes – grew into a pioneering rehabilitation project using surf therapy for PTSD recovery. The synergy of kitesurfing, mental health awareness, and structured rehabilitation programs turned Surf HUTIR into a unique and innovative solution for veterans and civilians seeking recovery.
Surf HUTIR: an innovation in rehabilitation
This is how Surf HUTIR was born – the first surf therapy center in Ukraine, designed to help veterans, children, and civilians affected by war. The project is based on global rehabilitation practices, particularly those pioneered by the American organization Operation Surf, which has been helping veterans heal through surfing for over 15 years.
What makes Surf HUTIR unique?
- Artificial wave technology for year-round rehabilitation.
- Finnish ArtWave technology, ensuring eco-efficiency and low operational costs.
- Support from international partners: Operation Surf (USA), FLI Group Oy, Olokoto, ArtWave (Finland), Emilia Merenmies Ltd (UK).
- Locations in Bucha and Tetiiv, which have endorsed the initiative at the municipal level.
The project has been submitted for funding under the Finland-Ukraine Investment Facility (FUIF) and has received backing from the All-Ukrainian Union of Veterans and Athletes.
How war changed the purpose of technology
Before the war, artificial wave systems like ArtWave were primarily used for recreational purposes. However, their high operational costs made them inaccessible for social projects. Through collaboration with ArtWave, an optimized model with the lowest operating expenses was identified – making Surf HUTIR a viable long-term rehabilitation initiative.
“I’ve seen how veterans in the US engage in sports, ride motorcycles, and live full lives,” says Anton. “They inspired me with their energy. Why can’t we do the same in Ukraine?”
The next step: creating the future through waves
Surf HUTIR is more than just a rehabilitation center. It is a movement that brings together veterans, athletes, doctors, architects, engineers, and everyone willing to contribute to building a better future.
The war has taken Henichesk’s waves, but Ukrainians have created new ones – waves of recovery. And when the Azov Sea is free once again, kites will soar in the sky – a symbol of unbreakable freedom.