Reese’s Mitzvah Project
February 5, 2024
Our Integrated, Adaptive Surf Camp In Long Beach NY
February 26, 2024
Words: Mary Johnson
Photos: Jason Belsky (@jaybelsky)
Date: Feb 24th, 2024
Mary Johnson and Instructor Justin Mault
“This is the most exciting trip ever!” Sarah exclaimed with a huge smile on her face as we arrived at Skudin Surf at American Dream. As the Northeast CAF (Challenged Athletes Foundation) family gathered around to learn surfing techniques, I marveled at the diversity of our group! Adaptive athletes of every age and differing disabilities were here, and some of us were first time surfers, like myself, as well as experienced ones, children, and adults. We were all united by CAF and today, we were all going to surf! Before entering the water, we practiced “popping up” on the boards. Despite what we lacked (hands, or feet, or knees, or eyes), popping up from our stomachs to standing wasn’t too difficult on the ground. When we took the boards to the water, things got a bit trickier, but we were supported by fantastic instructors, who quite literally had our backs.
Mary Johnson and Instructor Justin Mault
After paddling out, with the waves and Justin, my instructor behind me, I prepared myself to pop up. I popped to my knee and looked up at the teammates riding the waves around me. I saw athletes cruising. I saw laugher. I saw athletes with big smiles wiping out into the water. It took me a few tries building my confidence, and I was filled with strength from seeing my CAF teammates going for it, and learning the ways of the waves from my handsome instructor, and having him encourage me to, “Go for another.”
I knew if I didn’t fall, then I wasn’t really trying, so as soon as I accepted I’d to go for a swim, I was able to really ride the board on my one foot.
Mary Johnson and Instructor Justin Mault
You know it’s leap year, right? I did a lot of leaping today. I leapt from my forearms to the ball of my right foot. [Then off the board into the pool shortly afterwards. 🙃] It might not have been perfect, but every time I tumbled into the pool, I was giving it my all. We all might have looked a little different riding the waves today, but we gave it our best, we learned a lot, and we were stoked to ride the waves just like anyone else. Thank you CAF and Kelly Worrell for organizing this amazing opportunity, and thank you to the fantastic instructors at Skudin Surf who guided us through a radical morning of waves!
Participants with CAF Regional Manager Kelly Worrell
