Surfing for Autism

This past weekend an amazing event took place at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, NC.  The event was Surfing for Autism which is an autism/aspergers awareness event that is held each summer on the Outer Banks and is sponsored by the Autism Society of NC-Outer Banks.

The event began on Friday night with dinner and a “meet &greet” for the children and families.  The families had a chance to pier fish and explore the beach.   A surfboard was available out on the beach which gave the children a chance to get comfortable with a surf board.  Co-Founders Eileen Lowery and Mark Slagle along with other board members and volunteers were on hand to visit with the children and families and to answer any questions that people had.  

Aidan & Caitlin Nicholson – Checking out the Surfboard

The mission of the event is to offer individuals and families impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder a supportive environment to connect and share by creating opportunities to experience the therapeutic benefits of surfing.  This event also helps to create a greater awareness and a deeper understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder within the community.

Saturday morning is when the surfing event kicked off with different waves of surfers participating from 9:00 – 1:00.   This event gives the children an incredible experience and chance to surf.  The children are provided with two surfers and a skilled worker that is a teacher or therapist educated in the special needs of children with autism.  Children with autism/aspergers are given the chance to learn to paddle, surf and have fun on the beach and in the water.  

This event is such a positive event.  The people who were involved with creating this event are fantastic and the volunteers are out of this world.  You could feel the love all weekend, not only love, but compassion and understanding.  On top of that, they gave these children the opportunity to participate in something they may not do on their own.

Drake Haywood Catching a Wave
Photo Courtesy of Ann Marie Haywood

Drake Haywood with his Surf Coaches
Photo Courtesy of Ann Marie Haywood

Sean Nicholson on his First Wave Standing
Photo Courtesy of Ann Marie Haywood

Sean and Aidan Nicholson with their Surf Coaches
Photo Courtesy of Ann Marie Haywood

This event is put on with no costs to the families with children how with autism.  Surfing for Autism raises money through silent auctions, donations, hard work from the board and lots of amazing volunteers.  What a fantastic event to take place in our community.  If you would like to learn more about Autism check out the Autism Society of NC  to learn more about Aspergers check out Autism Speaks.  

Thank you to the Surfing for Autism Board members and all the volunteers that worked hard to make this incredible event happen here in the Outer Banks.  If you would like to make a donation for this event go to http://www.surfingforautism.org/support/donations/

Board Members for Surfing for Autism
Photo Courtesy of Surfing for Autism