A Day at the Beach With AccesSurf

Our penultimate volunteer event of 2019 was strategically chosen because it reflects so much of what makes our island home special – sharing aloha and the ocean. Eleven of us joined AccesSurf at their ‘Wounded Warrior Day at the Beach’ program at White Plains beach park. The event was open to active duty and veteran service men and women who are injured, wounded, or battling illness and their families.

AccesSurf builds an inclusive community that empowers people with disabilities through accessible beach and water programs. In following the spirit of Duke Kahanamoku, AccesSurf continues to be a pioneer in the advancement of adaptive water sports, ocean recreation, and therapeutic instruction for people with disabilities throughout the state of Hawaii and worldwide.

Roles were split between surf instructors, assistants who stayed a bit closer to shore (but still got wet!) helping get folks out of the shore break and on to the board, and others who stayed on dry land helping set up and talking story with participants. We were even treated to a short surfing lesson during a slow period and got to catch a few waves as well.

We extend our warmest thanks and can’t wait to return again for a future event.