A Walk On Water held recently north of the Huntington Beach Pier provided tons of smiles and high fives for kids with autism and down syndrome who received free surfing lessons from trained surf instructors and volunteers.
Since launching in 2012, A Walk On Water has served thousands of children and their families through transformative Surf Therapy. Surf Therapy is the act of guided surf instruction provided by highly-trained instructors, in concert with a carefully constructed and supportive team of volunteers and staff. Surf Therapy is the core offering of AWOW and the driving force of their efforts. Some of their other offerings include: yoga, massage therapy, art therapy, music therapy, food and drink, and many variations of sports and play on the beach.
Huntington Beach Resident/Surf Therapist Volunteer David Gins, who also helped get a mobi mat installed at Sixth Street in Huntington City Beach, said: “There were tons of smiling faces, including the four young athletes ages 6 to 15 years who I taught how to surf.”
Huntington Beach City Council Woman Natalie Moser said: “It’s a wonderful signature event for the Surfing Community and I’m proud to have been a chaperone and see all the special needs youth in our Ocean.”
Local Resident Ryan Anderson said: “I really enjoyed volunteering and teaching the kids with autism and down syndrome how to surf. It was a great experience.”
Event title sponsor John Paul Mitchell Systems® and Paul Mitchell Schools have donated millions of dollars to hundreds of philanthropic causes by mobilizing the entire community to get involved and lend a hand — helping to change the world, one good deed at a time.
You can learn more on future events at: https://awalkonwater.org or call: 424-334-1773.
