Last April, the Junior Seau Foundation presented a $250,000 check to Challenged Athletes Foundation to launch the program that will provide universal access to surfing for kids with physical challenges. The partnership with the JSF will support CAF’s mission by giving people with physical challenges the opportunity to pursue an active lifestyle through physical fitness and competitive athletics. In this case, it’s surfing. CAF believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence, and enhances quality of life.
Executive Committee Director of the Junior Seau Foundation, Michael Kinkelaar, said, “When we partnered with the Challenged Athletes Foundation, we shared their vision to help adaptive youth get in the water to surf, a hobby that was close to the heart for Junior Seau. Junior would be very proud to see this program come to fruition, and to see how much fun these kids have learning to surf.”
Throughout the weekend’s camp, the kids enjoyed surfing Del Mar’s waves with expert coaching and mentorship from experienced adaptive surfers including Team USA members from the first-ever ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship Alana Nichols, Danielle Burt, Christiaan Bailey, Ryan Gambrell, plus Team Brazil’s Andre Szucs. The kids also learned about surf history and experienced an exclusive surfboard shaping session at Rusty’s Board Shop. The City of Del Mar Lifeguards, a longtime partner of CAF that has helped develop Adaptive Surfing for the injured military through a weekly clinic in Del Mar, were on-hand for any needed assistance and safety.
Sam Day, an Oregon native who lost one leg and part of his other foot as part of his ongoing battle with Ewing Sarcoma, an extremely rare form of bone cancer, is one of the kids that participated in the adaptive surf camp. He said, “I’m so excited to be in San Diego for the surf camp and enjoy surfing with the other kids. I love the feeling of being on top of the water. It keeps me strong and gives me energy. It’s was an awesome weekend!”
CAF Board of Directors Chairman and Co-Founding Member, Jeffrey Essakow, said, “We are very grateful to the Junior Seau Foundation for the incredible gift and unique opportunity for the kids who will be participating in the adaptive surf camp. The kids are going to have an amazing time surfing all weekend long, while the CAF mission is directly put into action.”
On Saturday, the kids were treated to the annual Switchfoot Bro-Am, an event that draws over 15,000 people to Moonlight Beach, Encinitas, for a charity surf contest and free beach concert. Funds raised at the event benefit a number of local charities that help deserving local youth, including CAF. As part of the day’s festivities, the kids got to surf alongside surfing stars like Rob Machado and members of Grammy award-winning band Switchfoot during the Junior Seau Foundation Adaptive Surf Program presented by CAF Expression Session. The kids were allotted a 30-minute period where they were the spotlight of the event and enjoy catching waves in front of thousands of spectators.
“We were so excited to have these kids participate at the Bro-Am’s Expression Session because it fits in so well with the heart of this event,” said Switchfoot front man Jon Foreman. “We know our community will leave changed and inspired by these courageous kids and we feel honored to host them at BRO-AM.”
