Traveling the World for Surfers Healing
The crisp morning air collides with motor exhaust escaping from a few old VW vans stationed at the shoreline. Eager men and women examine surf conditions before catching their first wave of the day at the infamous surf break, San Onofre. Amongst the San Clemente dads, whose favorite part of their week is spending Saturday catching waves at Sano, are the everyday locals, retirees and soul surfers who find themselves in the water come 6 a.m. at The Point. That’s what one 26-year-old local’s routine consists of each morning, 7 days a week.
Blake Michael, a Dana Point, California native, says he rarely misses a morning surfing Sano.
“The only mornings I don’t surf are when I’m traveling. Which is for Surfers Healing anyways.”
Michael is one of 30-plus guys from around the world who travel together annually for Surfers Healing, a non-profit organization that teaches children diagnosed with autism how to surf.
“It’s a really rewarding experience and the kids are so much fun to be around,” says Michael.
Each student is assigned an instructor, such as Michael, who takes the student into the waves and ensures a fun, safe and memorable time together on the board. For most students, it’s a day filled with laughter and bookended with smiles from ear-to-ear.
“Some kids have been non-verbal their entire lives and they get out there and they’re so stoked. It’s incredibly therapeutic for them.”
Although, not every event is a breeze. In past years, the crew of instructors, volunteers and students have been hit with hurricanes, unexpected and dangerous surf conditions and the occasional crisis management scenario for a student experiencing some fear or a flare-up episode.
All instructors are required to be well educated in ocean safety and maintain a professional attitude and ability to solve problems during all events. Often, events are concluded with a large gathering or dinner party for the crew, students and student’s parents.
“It’s a good time. Long days in the sun, but for sure worth it.”
In addition to events on the east coast and north east, Surfers Healing holds other yearly events in places like Miami, Los Cabos, Dana Point, San Diego, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand.
“I’ve been to some really epic places” thanks to Surfers Healing, says Michael.
In the future, Michael says Surfers Healing hopes to expand and host events in places like Israel and South America. For Michael, a young guy who has been surfing since before he could walk and is eager to score waves on the daily, Surfers Healing is a pretty sweet gig.
