As the surfers glided on the ocean waves, smiles splashed across their faces and cheers filled the salty air on the sand as spectators watched in awe.
This was no ordinary surf session, but a “perfect day” to take kids on the autism spectrum out on the water. The gathering Wednesday, June 26, at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point was put on by nonprofit Surfers Healing.
“Our tagline is ‘one perfect day,’ but really this is one perfect day,” said Surfers Healing founder Izzy Paskowitz. “It’s bright, blue water, it’s perfect little swells. … The waves are absolutely perfect for us.”
Surfers Healing was founded by Paskowitz and his wife, Danielle, more than 25 years ago when they noticed how the water soothed their son, Isaiah, at a young age.
After Paskowitz put Isaiah, who has autism, on a surfboard, a friend asked if the former pro surfer could do the same with his son. Then another asked, and another.
More than two decades later, hundreds of thousands of kids with autism have surfed with the nonprofit around the globe.
Wednesday’s gathering was dedicated to Tamayo Perry, a Hawaiian surfer and lifeguard who was killed by a shark on June 23 while on a surf trip. Perry was a longtime volunteer for the group, traveling across the world to help the kids surf.
“He was such a huge part of our camp,” Paskowitz said. “He was so kind and so connected to the kids.”
Krissly and Victor Rivas, of Rialto, embraced their daughter Victoria, 10, as she came out of the ocean, the newly-minted surfer clapping at the thrill of riding the wave.
“The waves!” Victoria responded, when asked about her favorite part.
Krissly Rivas admited she was “super nervous” about the experience, especially since Victoria had never been in the ocean.
“We know that she likes the water and we thought she would like it. Sure enough, she was having fun,” Victor Rivas said.
And it wasn’t just the act of riding waves, but the chance to get together with families who have similar experiences, said Krissly Rivas.
“It’s awesome, these kinds of programs, because it helps the kids socialize and do something different instead of being at home,” she said. “I can not take her because I’m not a professional or expert, so I really appreciate this kind of program.”
Jaclynn Herrera watched as her son Hayden, 9, glided to shore with the help of volunteer Giorgio Gomez, the youngster smiling as he reached the sand.
“It was amazing, he was so happy and so comfortable. I feel like his surfer did such a great job making him comfortable. Seeing him come in with that huge smile was everything,” said Herrera, who traveled from Arizona for the fourth time to join the surf session. “It really is a perfect day for them. He has so much fun and looks forward to it. It’s just a special day for him and he loves it.”
Hayden’s favorite part?
“Standing up,” he said.
Paskowitz said he loves not just seeing the surfers ride waves, but also the volunteers who get so much out of the experience.
“I love that we have so many local young surfers who are new to this, I’m trying to share this experience,” he said. “There’s so many qualified young kids who can do this, it just takes a little extra coaxing – come down and help.”
For Gomez, 28, it was his second time volunteering with the nonprofit, expertly navigating the crowds to help Hayden stand up on the waves.
“It’s huge, seeing how it changes kids’ lives,” Gomez said. “I feel like the ocean heals everything. Seeing him stand up and see him having the best time of his life, there’s no other feeling that’s more rewarding than that.”
Gomez said the feeling that comes with helping others ride waves takes him back to when he was first learning to surf.
“It grounds you and humbles you,” he said. “To be able to take someone out for the first time and see the change in their behavior and spirit, I feel like there’s no other fulfilling thing than that.”
