Surf Week!!! not Shark Week. That is over. Shark Free Week!!!

And, so it begins.... a week of surfing with amazing people!

Here are photos from today's Surfers Healing event.  More than 250 autistic children signed up to participate in this amazing event.  Back on sign up day, time slots are gone within minutes.  It is a wonderful experience for the kids to get out onto the ocean and be surrounded by the calming effects of such a large body of water.  It also opens their eyes to new experiences.  If I can surf, I can do anything!

Carl surfed in Group 1 at 9 am.  He got to do 4 or 5 runs with a surfer named Justin.  Then we hung around for a couple hours, playing in the sand with buddies and then playing in the water.  This was supposed to be for autistic kids only, so Gretchen knew she couldn't participate.  But... on our way out, she wanted to go say "goodbye" to the guy she surfed with last year.  Earlier in the day, he saw Gretchen and Lew and immediately recognized her - and called her by name!  A year after surfing with her!  After many other surf camps.  These people are so amazing with the kids.

So, Kevin told Gretchen he wanted to take her out to surf, but she said "We are leaving."  I was not close enough to hear them talking, so I waved and we headed out.  On our walk back to the trolley pick-up spot, she told me what he said.  By the time we got to the trolley, we decided that we were both disappointed that she could have surfed and didn't get to.... so we turned around and went back!  I bribed Carl with mini cheese sandwich crackers and we found Kevin.  He grabbed a board and took Gretchen out to surf as well!  What an unexpected treat!!

Here are my photos of the kids during the day.
Taking the trolley over at 8:00

 After getting a life jacket, he met Justin and headed out into the water.

 Ready to go!!

 They paddled out together and waited for a good wave.

 Then Justin had to get Carl up to standing.  All 83 lbs of him.  I have another shot of him raising him up that really shows how heavy Carl is.

 Once he was standing - they were surfing!

 and falling!

 regroup and go out again!

They told the kids "if you need any help at all, just find someone in a red shirt."  Do you think our kids were safe in this crowd?

 Carl will not be doing any Coppertone Tan commercials anytime soon.  50 spf works wonderfully on him!!

 anticipation

 This shot - poor Justin!  Look at those muscles!

Carl loves the wave riding part.

Look - he is almost as tall as Justin!

  Justin and Carl after having fun surfing together!

This larger that life man is Izzy.  He is the founder of this program and he is the sweetest person.  His 22 yr old son is the reason he started this organization.  Surfing was their first real connection when the boy was younger and he wanted to bring that gift to other children as well.  He was right out there surfing with many of the kids today.  All these people involved in the charity surf camps are so wonderful with all the kids!

 and now... Gretchen & Kevin!!!

 High-fives even after wiping out!

So, this begins Surf Week.  Expect dozens more photos as the week progresses.  We now have a 3 day surf camp that begins tonight.  We cannot wait!