Kids hit the waves off Fort Myers Beach
Surfers For Autism partnered with Lee County Parks and Recreation and the Calusa Blueway Saturday for the ninth annual Gulf Coast Surf & Beach Festival on Fort Myers Beach at Crescent Park.
Surfers for Autism, a non profit group formed in 2007, hosts events all up the coast of Florida to help provide safe places and days of learning by sharing the art of surfing and creating more awareness in the community.
Those attending called it another success.
“It’s something I’m very happy to be a part of. I’ve been bringing my son here for years and we’ve made so many lasting friendships here. This is one of those events that once you’re involved, it’s impossible to not keep coming back,” Diana Anderson, volunteer for the event, said.
The Beach was surprisingly perfect for the event. The storm clouds from earlier in the morning had moved off, but had left just enough chop to make some introductory waves for the kids to be taken out on.
The line of volunteer surfers was always full, too. The procedure was to match up one child with two or three surfer volunteers – of which there are several dozen waiting their turn- and take them out on a normal-sized surf board.
Children who have done this before are more excited than anything, but the ones who haven’t quickly caught on. With some of the more hesitant children getting on boards for the first time, you could see some apprehension, but as soon as they got their first wave, the smiles were bright and excited. This is why people keep coming back.
“I’ve been involved with Surfers For Autism for years, and now that I’m in charge, I want to get more events scheduled and more people involved. There’s nothing I’d rather be doing with my time than to be working with communities all over Florida to make sure these kids have a safe, welcoming environment to experience something they may have never gotten to do otherwise,” Moose Brown, current CEO for the organization said.
The young surfers looked to be having an amazing time, with enough volunteers to take them out 2 or 3 times.
“I’m always happy to be here. I’ve grown up to love surfing and seeing my friends here,” said Carson Anderson, a volunteer who is on the autism spectrum.
Carson, over time, has grown up coming to these events and growing and making friends. He even has his own custom surfboard, he enjoys it so much.
Fort Myers Beach is the perfect place in the off seasons to host this kind of sensory event for children that may not have opportunities elsewhere.
“I really love that everyone here is so accepting. The kids can be having a rough day, and in a normal crowd you can get a lot of judging looks like it’s someone’s fault my child is having a bad moment. But everyone here knows, and we love having all of the people come in and learn more about Autism, and how to interact and care for those that need a little more,” Diana Anderson said.