Book Presentations | SurfingToSurvive

SURFING TO SURVIVE PRESENTATIONS

Karin Ochsner — Surf Coach, Filmmaker & Inspirational Speaker

Karin brings a powerful and uplifting story to your audience. Though considered disabled due to an unusual and severe health condition, including significant immune weakness and numerous life-threatening allergies, she manages to live a happy and healthy life surrounded by nature.

Watch the 2-minute film trailer:

Through her screened first documentary SURFING TO SURVIVE, the audience can witness how Karin has learned to live a joyful and purposeful life by embracing the healing power of nature and the ocean and building strong connections within her community.

A Q&A session and personal interaction with Karin will allow participants to connect authentically, engage in conversation and gain practical inspiration for resilience. This grounded and meaningful experience creates environmental awareness and enhances wellbeing, staying with the participants long after the film ends.

Goals of SURFING TO SURVIVE presentations

To provide learning experiences that build participants’ knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to nature, the local environment and their community, in ways that:

Develop resilience, problem-solving and the ability to manage adversity and challenges
Promote healthy, active lifestyles and support positive mental health, emotional regulation and wellbeing

3. Build participants’ understanding, appreciation and responsibility for the natural environment

Why Surfing to Survive Is a Valuable Experience for Participants

Inspiring, Not Triggering
The challenges portrayed in the film are unique and very different from the types of real-life difficulties participants may have been exposed to. This distance allows them to engage safely with the story without being triggered, while still learning powerful lessons about resilience, perseverance, and emotional strength.
A Personal Connection That Makes Learning Stick
Meeting Karin gives participants a unique opportunity to connect directly with someone who has overcome an extraordinarily difficult situation. Her presence transforms the film from a story about resilience into a lived example participants can relate to, ask questions about, and draw inspiration from.
Practical, Accessible Well-Being Tools
The techniques Karin shares; spending time in nature, building supportive communities, and using simple calming exercises, are strategies that any participant can use immediately. They require no cost, no special equipment, and can easily be incorporated into daily routines.

Real Audience Impact

Below a few testimonials that show how strongly viewers connect with Karin’s story. These responses illustrate the kind of reflection, engagement, and emotional growth your participants can experience as well.

SURFING TO SURVIVE Presentation Options

Option 1 An Inspiring Connection 45–50 min $500

A compact yet powerful introduction to the SURFING TO SURVIVE journey.
Includes:

Warm welcome & introduction
Screening of the 28-min film SURFING TO SURVIVE
Short talk by Karin, sharing personal background and the story behind the film
Engaging Q&A session with audience

Option 2 Building Inner Resilience 80–90 min $700

A deeper, more experiential workshop that extends the learning from the film.
Includes:

Warm welcome & introduction
Screening of the 28-min film SURFING TO SURVIVE
Karin’s background talk
Q&A
Short walk to a nearby natural space
Workshop with Karin: techniques for calming the mind and building inner resilience
Group debrief: reflections from participants & insights Karin tailors to the specific group

Ideal for wellbeing and team days or themed project weeks.

Option 3 The Full Experience: Off the Screen into Nature 100–120 min $950

The full immersive experience, combining film, nature, mindfulness, and community building.
Includes:

Warm welcome & introduction
Screening of the 28-min film SURFING TO SURVIVE
Expanded talk by Karin on the background to the film
Q&A
Walk together to a nearby nature spot
Karin’s talk on nature connection, healing, and the importance of sharing personal challenges
Workshop on mind-quieting techniques
Nature-awareness and team games and exercises
Deep group debrief & tailored reflections from Karin

Best suited for half day workshops, wellbeing retreats, or enrichment programs.

Tailored audience engagement?

We also offer custom-designed workshops or talks suited to your group’s needs, age range and goals.

Testimonials

Retreat Presentation

Karin‘s presentation at Human Nature Adventure Therapy’s 3-day surf camp had a powerful impact on the teenage participants. She created a space of vulnerability and inspiration that deeply resonated with the group. Her authentic and honest approach helped the teens connect with her experiences, showing how surfing, nature, and shared activities can become tools for healing and metaphors for life’s challenges. The young people were captivated and engaged, asking thoughtful questions and reflecting on her message. One previously quiet participant even shared how Karin‘s story mirrored their own struggles, showing the depth of its impact. Overall, her session empowered the teens with language, confidence, and a sense that challenges can be faced with resilience and support from community.

Sally McAdam

Therapeutic Mentor

Human Nature Adventure Therapy

Event Presentation

We hosted Karin showing her film “Surfing to Survive“. The film was very interesting and was really enjoyed by all the guests and residents who attended the showing.

The question and answer session was such a positive experience. The questions kept coming and Karin was fantastic in explaining her life experiences. It proved a very engaging, uplifting and positive experience for everyone.

Darrell Lamb

Park Manager at Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park