Eager to get there on time to see our 7 year old friend surf, we started our 10 min walk to the beach. We hustled to the beach and walked to the Team Hoyt Tent , telling the volunteers we were there to watch, but weren't participating in Surfers Healing.
Immediately, I saw a friend who said the surfers will take some of the extra kids out to surf if there's time. I thought, that's pretty cool, but really didn't expect for Sadie to go out.
With in minutes, Sadie's dad walked over to the line and asked if they had room for Sadie. With in seconds, they were putting a life jacket on her and walking her to the surfer and board on the beach.
Immediately, I saw a friend who said the surfers will take some of the extra kids out to surf if there's time. I thought, that's pretty cool, but really didn't expect for Sadie to go out.
With in minutes, Sadie's dad walked over to the line and asked if they had room for Sadie. With in seconds, they were putting a life jacket on her and walking her to the surfer and board on the beach.
It all happened SO fast...one minute we were getting settled on the beach to watch and hang out, and the next I'm scrambling to get my camera out to take photos.
The view of your child sitting on the end of a surf board, as a professional surfer (volunteer) is paddling her out to the break...so surreal and so emotional. It was one of the most amazing events to witness. Watching them sit in the calm water rolling with the ocean.
It was a moment in time where I had no fear, only joy that she was able to sit out there and feel the breeze, feel the water, and experience something new and exciting.
It was a moment in time where I had no fear, only joy that she was able to sit out there and feel the breeze, feel the water, and experience something new and exciting.
We stood at the waters edge with the volunteers lining the coast to help, watching as the surfers in orange rash guards paddled out to the break and sat calmly on their boards, while children with disabilities lay happily on their stomachs protected by a team of passionate surfers. Each hoping to give a child with a disability an experience they would always remember.
Watching from the water's edge, it looked calm and peaceful. Living so close to the beach all my life, I have never surfed, but I felt absorbed by the moment and emotional. I felt secure too, as if I was letting go a little bit, that someone else was able to keep her safe.
Watching from the water's edge, it looked calm and peaceful. Living so close to the beach all my life, I have never surfed, but I felt absorbed by the moment and emotional. I felt secure too, as if I was letting go a little bit, that someone else was able to keep her safe.
Sadie's surfer (I wish I knew his name) took her out 3 times, and only wiped out once. He had amazing strength, as he pulled Sadie up with one hand as they were riding the wave. When he lifted her up, she tucked her feet under her and didn't put her feet on the board. He was able to hold her in the air.
In the end, she was given a medal, and her family a moment to feel grateful and joy for the memories that this day brought to us.
It really was one of those times in your life where you know you will remember every moment and cherish the volunteers, surfers, and organizations that care so much and offer so much to people with disabilities. Thank you Surfers Healing!
In the end, she was given a medal, and her family a moment to feel grateful and joy for the memories that this day brought to us.
It really was one of those times in your life where you know you will remember every moment and cherish the volunteers, surfers, and organizations that care so much and offer so much to people with disabilities. Thank you Surfers Healing!
