NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. — It might not have been the most ideal beach day with strong winds and rough waves, but that did not stop participants from having fun for the 17th Annual HEAL Surf Camp.
HEAL, Helping Enrich Autistic Lives, holds this event every summer to teach kids and young adults with autism how to surf. Max Windsor was one of 25 participants this year. His mom, Hannah, said he was once afraid of the water, but now he is thriving.
“This is our third year and year after year, his progress has been remarkable. He's doing so well now. And now he's actually surfing, he is a surfer because of this camp," Hannah explained.
Each participant is paired with a surf instructor who helps them get comfortable in the water and on the board. Kane Sears helped start this camp 17 years ago. He said the water can be therapeutic for kids on the autism spectrum.
"Just being in the ocean with the ups and downs, and having something around you all the time. And just the energy, they'll be excited catching waves," Sears said.
This year's camp was a little choppier than normal with red and yellow flags dotting the beach. Sears said the rough surf made it easier to teach the kids and provided no shortage of waves to catch.
"We thought it was gonna be tricky, but it's been great. We have a lot of good watermen out here and we're just pushing them into the white waters. We're not going out too far," Sears said.
The participants loved the water, too. Hannah said the larger waves turned out to be calming for her son.
“I think the waves actually hitting up on him, he's enjoying that, that's actually helping him and I’m surprised, most of the children, they seem to be doing very well today as well," Hannah said.
While the group braved the strong waters, family members looked on with gratitude for the opportunity for their kids to hang ten for the day.
"This environment is so supportive and that has translated so much into his confidence, his skills as well. We're so lucky to have this camp," Hannah said.
To learn more about HEAL and the surf camp, click here.