The High Fives Foundation’s Adaptive Surf Camp
Following an amazing 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Sugarbush Resort Golf Club, Roy, Steve and others from the High Fives Foundation worked their way down the East Coast to sunny New Jersey for High Five the Wave 3 – an adaptive surf camp on the sandy shores of Sea Girt. Hanging Ten for this years trip were High Fives Winter Empowerment Athletes Landon McGauley, Josh Dueck, Max Elles and Keith Gabel. Each of the Athletes have excelled in their respective winter sport and were eager to test their skills on the water.
The dates, August 25th-29th, were chosen months ago for this years camp, and it proved to be a great week as the weather and waves could not have cooperated any better. On Monday, the minute the Athletes stepped off the plane, the crew was anxious to get in the water and try out the brand new Wave Ski custom built by Santa Cruz native Tyler Lausten of TL Wave Skis.
The days on the beautiful beaches of Sea Girt, NJ saw each of the Athletes trying out Tyler’s shiny new red Wave Ski, with the exception of Max Elles, who had one goal in mind – to stand up and carve on a short board. With a slew of helpers in the water and the incomparable Boyle Family as coaches the high fivers were in good hands. Even when Keith Gabel managed to take the camps worst wave pounding crash, a team of volunteers were there to pick him up out of the water before he even knew what happened. Red Bull, Tahoe Trail Bars, VT Peanut Butter and Play Hard Give Back trail mix was provided to all of the Athletes, coaches and volunteers ensuring that everyone was energized and ready to get back in the water.
By camps end each of the Athletes had accomplished their goals, had an amazing time sharing stories, laughed harder than anyone thought possible and made some great new friendships.
“Since my 2010 injury I’ve been fortunate enough to get out and enjoy water activities more than most,” said High Fives Winter Empowerment Athlete Landon McGauley. “This years camp was one for the ages. It was such a great crew, the Boyle Family is rad and the waves were perfect. I can’t wait for next year!”
High Fives the Wave 3 could not have gone so smoothly without the amazing help from: Timmy Harmon and the Sea Girt Life Guards for looking after everyone and letting High Fives store their gear in their facility, the Boyle Family for providing the instruction to help each Athlete accomplish their goals in the water, Tyler Lausten for providing an amazing Wave Ski for all of the Athletes to rip on, all of the volunteers for keeping everyone safe and all of the camps amazing food and beverage sponsors (Red Bull, Tahoe Trail Bar, VT Peanut Butter and Play Hard Give Back).
High Fives is already looking forward to getting the crew back together and making next years camp bigger and better.
