Participating in outdoor sports in blue spaces is recognized to produce a range of significant social benefits. This case study empirically analyzes the social benefits associated with the School Nautical Activities project carried out in Viana do Castelo (Portugal) in school-age children and adolescents. It consisted of a 4 year program in which scholars took part in nautical activities (surfing, rowing, sailing, and canoeing) in blue spaces once a week during a semester as a part of their physical education course. The methods used for data collection were as follows: (1) a survey answered by 595 participants in the program and (2) five focus groups (FG): two FGs with participants (seven on each FG), two FGs with their parents (eight participants each), and one FG with the physical education teachers (five participants). Interviews were transcribed and qualitative analysis with NVivo software was developed. Results revealed clear evidence on the social benefits for school-age children and adolescents associated with participation in outdoor activities in blue spaces both in the overall health and in all the following analyzed categories: mental health and well-being, education, active citizenship, social behavior, and environmental awareness. More than 40% state that their overall health is much better now (13.4%) or somewhat better now (29.9%) due to their participation in the program. Thus, this article provides support for the anecdotal recognition of the benefits for school-age children and adolescents from participating in sports in the outdoors and especially in blue spaces.

Physical Educations classes represent a unique opportunity to develop motor competence, sports skills and foster healthy life. Blue spaces environments provide an alternative location for high-quality outdoor educational experiences. Throughout, surfing is an aquatic outdoor sport, that takes place in the natural setting, proved as an important learning and therapeutic approach. The aim of this research was to analyze the importance of surfing in Physical Education (PE) classes as a support of children and adolescent’s well-being. A total of 190 students (80 girls) participated in this study and were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks of surfing practice as part of a PE curriculum, regarding the impacts on well-being and socialization. Analyzing the two moments, the most valued questions were Q5(4.39±0.827; 4.52±0.791) and Q14(4.60±0.716; 4.47±0.808). The exploratory factor analysis results in 3 categories (Individual Expectations; Self-Confidence; Socialization in Surfing), which explain 62.79% of the total variance. The factor Individual Expectation was the most significant and Self-Confidence had the most significant increase. Surfing as part of the PE curriculum can be considered a safe activity, an important mediator for making new friends and being part of a group with important short-term effects on self-confidence, especially in adolescents.

Introduction: Over the last decade, Adaptive Surfing, recently designated as Para Surfing was been growing worldwide. This exponential growth led to an increased number and level of competitive athletes. However, despite some knowledge about the fitness levels of elite surfers and the development of Para Surfing, from the author's knowledge, there are limited to none published research examining Para Surfing. This study aimed to measure how Para Surfing athletes' profiles, training habits, and time spent performing in-water surfing and out-of-water training affected these athletes' final scores in the 1º European Para Surfing Championship.Material and methods: Ninety-five per cent of the participants in the 1º European Adaptive Surfing Championship in Viana do Castelo Portugal, fulfilled a questionnaire according to Para Surfing characteristics, habits and training profile.Results: Congenital conditions were reported by more than 57% of females". Participants' final competition scores were significantly influenced by prior Para Surfing experience (p = 0.026). Final competition scores were significantly correlated with average days per month spent surfing (r = 0.436) and prior Para Surfing experience in years (r = 0.578). Females' final scores were significantly correlated with swimming time per month (r = 1.000) and disability duration in years (r = -1.000). Males competition final scores were significantly correlated with prior Para Surfing experience in years (r = 0.753).Conclusions: Competitive European male and female Para Surfing athletes present significant differences in terms of surfing experiences before becoming disabled and years of competition experience. Time spent surfing and previous surfing experience are key factors for achieving better performance in Para Surfing competitions.