Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” The Adaptive Surf Project (ASP) is an inspiring example where waves of volunteers are united in kindness and commitment to do for others by giving people with disabilities the opportunity to experience surfing in the ocean, “a sweet spot between control and surrender.” Luke Sharp, who is the Director of the 100 percent volunteer run Adaptive Surf Project, shared some of his time with me to talk about this special organization.
“Surfing is the greatest thrill of my life.” Duke Kahanamoku
Brock Johnson was an active surfer, lifeguard, and lover of being in the ocean waves. One day he jumped off a boat, experiencing a spinal cord injury. The determined Brock was not going to let this injury stop him, or others, from surfing so he created a “Wheel to Surf” event in 2013. This flagship event was a surf clinic for individuals who have a disability so they could experience the joy of surfing. Wheel to Surf sparked the idea that began the Adaptive Surf Project, which is now an established non-profit “dedicated to inspiring and nurturing inclusive communities that improve lives through adaptive surfing.”
“The inclusivity ASP provides is beautiful and gives me hope for humanity.” Cory Hellyer ASP volunteer
Normalizing adaptive surfing is one of the many initiatives of ASP. During many summer Sundays at Cherry Grove Pier in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina volunteers and surfers who have disabilities come stoked to surf and ride the waves. ASP has a variety of adaptive surf equipment and boards so all are welcome. Some adaptive surfers ride the waves solo while others ride tandem with a volunteer surfer. Luke shared that the volunteers who go into the water with surfers are all strong water men and women, people who have the water skills and strength, along with a strong commitment to be part of these special moments. Team ASP is filled with adaptive surfer athletes who “surf competitively at the local, national, and international levels.” ASP works with local governments to get funding to install beach matting on beaches. Beach matting is a durable, flexible, synthetic pathway that is rolled out onto the sand so people with mobility issues who use wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers can get on to the beach. By traveling nationally and internationally ASP will train and equip interested groups to host their own adaptive surfing programs. Last year ASP surfed in Puerto Rico. ASP also “designs and creates adaptive equipment that makes adaptive surfing possible: adaptive surfboards, adaptive wetsuits and different styles of beach wheelchairs.”
“The moment I get in the ocean, I don’t feel any pain at all. It takes the worries of the world away, every time you’re there.” Ernie Johnson, Competitive Adaptive Surfer
ASP is a thoughtful and action focused non-profit. In addition to adaptive surfing, beach matting, there is a focus on making sure beaches are healthy. Last year ASP delivered hundreds of beach wheelchairs to various locations on the east coast. The Adaptive Bike Project is a monthly gathering where 70-80 people show up to participate in this inclusive and friendly bike ride using all types of bikes. Trikes, side-by-side quad cycles, hand-cycles, regular bikes, and even bikes a wheelchair can fit on the front of. A magical moment where individuals with a disability get to experience happy moments of being free and happy riding a bike, riding four to five miles with “Anonymous Club” providing refreshments. Throughout our conversation Luke expressed how much he respects and honors caregivers of the people with disabilities who participate, along with emphasizing that the commitment of every single volunteer is why ASP can do all it does.
“Together we’re gonna do BIG THINGS.” ASP
Wheel to Surf days are massive moments. Hundreds of volunteers help to pull off this event. Luke shared for the next Wheel to Surf there are 85 people with disabilities signed up to surf. Participants are assigned to color coordination teams with 10-14 surfers going out in 15 minute heats. People are excited, thrilled, and joy abounds. It is gnarly!
“To help more friends experience the thrill of walking on water.” ASP
It is with honor and joy we shine the Kindness Champion spotlight on the remarkable Adaptive Surf Project. ASP knows “that with enough teamwork and imagination nothing is impossible. So we’ve come together to radically reimagine who has access to the joy of surfing.” Where the “line-up” of magic happens with surfers who have disabilities and volunteers come together to catch the perfect wave, feeling stoked, excited and happy. The thorough ASP is also making sure to share joy in other ways with adaptive bike rides, beach matting, developing and giving away adaptive surf boards and meeting with other communities so more places and people can experience the joy of surfing. We thank you for being you and bringing your awesomeness to the world.
For more information or to support Adaptive Surf Project here is their information:
Website: https://adaptivesurfproject.com/
Instagram: @adaptivesurfproject https://www.instagram.com/adaptivesurfproject/
Facebook: @AdaptiveSurfProject https://www.facebook.com/Adaptivesurfproject/
LinkedIn: @AdaptiveSurfProject https://www.linkedin.com/company/adaptive-surf-project/posts/?feedView=all
YouTube: @AdaptiveSurfProject https://www.youtube.com/@adaptivesurfproject2509
