VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The ocean can be a safe place for children with autism and other disabilities, and the 19th annual Surfers Healing Camp at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront is proving just that.
The goal of the camp, which started when a former pro surfer started hanging 10 with his son, is to watch all the campers gain confidence with each wave they catch. All the instructors that are on the boards with the campers are called “Healers” by the co-founder.
“It’s a lot more than just surfing or surf instructing,” said Healer Dylan Whitmer. “It’s connecting with the kids and, you know, healing through this process in this sport.”
The sport allows children of different abilities to experience surfing for the first time.
“There’s that anxiety and apprehension with getting in the water with autism, and doing something outside of the box,” said Surfers Healing co-founder Izzy Paskowitz. “I feel it’s completely necessary with these guys, you know, I don’t want to hold them back.”
One of those campers that didn’t let fear hold him back is Johnny Moody, who has been coming to the camp for five years now and says catching waves is fun.
“I feel like I’m flying,” Johnny said.
When campers finally caught a wave, anyone on the beach could hear the sound of cheers and whistles.
“When you can nurture them and help them see how much fun it is, and when that light bulb clicks, it’s just like, pretty amazing,” Whitner said. “There’s not much like it in the world.”
Whitner said seeing the kids gain confidence each time they get back up is special. He mentioned one young camper who was anxious about starting off.
“After the second wave, she was so excited and didn’t want to stop,” Whitner said. “And so we went and got two or three more, and by the time we were done, she really didn’t want to get out.”
For Johnny, he has some advice for all the children who are hesitant to step on a surfboard.
“Be brave. Be strong. And catch all the waves,” he said.
To learn more about Surfers Healing in Virginia Beach click here. The camp is not over yet, the last day is Saturday, Aug. 17 at the Oceanfront before it moves to its next location.
