Well, it was another successful weekend with the Best Day Foundation. So many special needs families showed up - abouts 50 - that the 150 plus volunteers really had their hands full. The events include, kayaking, surfing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, boogie boarding, swimming, obstacle course stuff, etc. These are activities that these kids generally never have the chance to do - ever. This is so, because so many variables and safety issues beyond just expert swimming skills must be in place, and nothing on this earth offers that for many of these severely disabled children. Special surf boards, equipage, you name it has to be specially designed and built to make much of this possible. Much of the equipment we use is not available for purchase - it must be designed and specially built; and with rigid standards of strength and safety for all parties topmost in the construction. No jury-rigging out in heavy surf.
After all, we are in the ocean. With real waves, tides, rip currents, and dozens of other factors constantly changing from moment to moment. And, these parents are trusting us with the lives of their children. Children that for the most part, are completely unable to cope with anything outside very structured routines. Anyone who has ever worked with autistics will understand this.
But, thanks to the guiding vision of Chipper Bro Bell, Cliff, Nancy, Jaime and so many others, we are now in the third year of this, with a new chapter down south in Orange county starting up. Yay!
After a great morning of (which generally goes to about 2pm) food is served by sponsors, awards and gifts are given to the kids, and everyone unwinds the materiel and packs up trucks, trailers, vans, and such till the next event.
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A very busy morning in the kayaking and outrigger section of the event. Everyone doing to make it it all work for the kids.
Stephanie, Mike, and Keith finishing up a ride for one of 50 wonderful children experiencing the ocean in brand new ways.
Every boy or girl I took out in the water, said this was their first time ever on a kayak. Yay! They loved it. Many took several turns, in addition to surfing and boogie boarding, which was happening on the other side, not visible in these pics.
Perfect day for the kids.
Really wonderful volunteers, making this a great day!
Another successful ride out in the harbor ends.
Safety first, all hands ready, eager, and making sure everything is what it should be prior to launching into the sea.
These folks are tops!
Son Matt taking a special needs child out on a Stand Up surfboard.
Matt taking a child out on the kayak.
Happy Happy
The ladies were and are, such doers. Really were on the ready for everything without needing to be asked. Made our job of just being watermen (and waterwomen) easy-peasy.
The outriggers heading out with a whole gang of smiling faces.
Safety, safety, safety...and JOY!
Many kids couldnt' walk...or see...most were autistic, among other disabilities. The parents were fantastic, and we kept that trust of allowing the care and welfare of their children, in our hands. Even when out at sea, trained eyes constantly watched each waterman in case of any kind of emergent emergency.
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