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U.S. Navy study aims to see if surfing will help counteract PTSD

McCrossin said he struggled with survivor's guilt and he's still coping with his PTSD every day. Over time he found some relief in music and three years ago, he started surfing.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The U.S. Navy is spending $1 million on a three-year study that's aimed to find out whether or not surfing can counteract with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD.

Disabled Navy vet and avid surfer, Bill McCrossin, told First Coast News he is excited about the study.

"I love waking up before the sun and loading up the car trying to throw this 9-foot board into the car and then going to the beach," McCrossin said. "I started finding that therapeutic."

McCrossin said he has PTSD from his four years in the Navy. He joined 2001 right out of high school.

"[PTSD is] a living hell," he said. He said he didn't know how to ask or get help.

"You don't know what it is you're trying to reach it for because you can't verbalize it because you don't know what it is," he said.

McCrossin said he struggled with survivor's guilt and he's still coping with his PTSD every day. Over time he found some relief in music and three years ago, he started surfing.

"For the first time, I was like 'wow, I'm out of shape,'" he said.

McCrossin is now a natural. He encourages other vets to reach out to him for help, and even encourages them to reach out if they want to learn how to play guitar. You can contact him by clicking here.

While the Navy announced it's investing money to study whether or not surfing can make an impact on those with PTSD like McCrossin, the Wounded Warrior Project hosts local surfing clinics for veterans.

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