High Five the Wave – Day Three
The last day of the High Fives Foundation adaptive surf camp wrapped up with great mid-morning and afternoon-into-sunset sessions. The three days spent on the water, coupled with a travel day on either end proved to be an excellent bonding experience for the campers, photographers and local adaptive pioneers that came together to make it happen. The skills needed to be a successful adaptive surfer are numerous. From the intricate technique of launching into the water to the “feel” needed to ride the wave illustrate the necessity of experience and of the courage to go for it.
The overarching theme of the camp was to provide the adaptive athletes that the Foundation assists, the ability to discover a new sport, to build muscle memory for winter action sports and to provide a new direction in freedom. The campers learned that there are many possibilities in adaptive surfing. A new movement is underway and folks like John Davis and his amazing surf friends are leading the charge to bring the sport to more surf competitions and ultimately gain more notoriety.
An interesting “full circle” theme surfaced on day three as the High Fives Foundation’s first ever grant recipient (through the Winter Empowerment Fund), Steve Wallace and Roy Tuscany (Co-Founder and Executive Director of the High Fives Foundation) both surfed and learned more about this incredible sport. To witness the Foundation’s first athlete and its originator “high fiving” in the water added to the power of everything going on at Dog Park in the San Onofre State Beach.
Learn more about Steve Wallace and his journey in recovery from spinal cord injury here.
Huge thanks to Kim, Dennis, Mark, Steve, John, Mike and Chris for the borrowed wave-skis, the instruction and the hospitality. We are looking forward to more time in the water with you all in the future. Stay tuned for more photographs and video!