Most readers know one of my favorite OC charities is Anaheim’s Eli Home which helps battered families. I also support the good work of the Irvine Public Schools Foundation for what they do to make up for budget shortfalls for the schools that serve Irvine’s school children (a.k.a. the fund that makes up for what Assemblymen Matt Harper and Don Wagner are unable or unwilling to do — fight for more funding or allow Irvine residents to more easily pass a parcel tax).
I’ve added a new charity to my list and hope you’ll consider giving “A Walk on Water” a closer look.
From their website: “A WALK ON WATER is a family of watermen sharing the therapeutic powers of the ocean with those in need. AWOW’s primary goal is providing relief to families of children with special needs through surf therapy. We are a humanitarian and environmentally conscious organization with an eye on sustainability.
A WALK ON WATER provides water therapy through guided surf instruction to specials needs children. Surfing is used as a tool to gain self confidence skills and promote the therapeutic benefits of the sport’s positive effects. Children experience the true “stoke” of surfing and a sense of accomplishment as family and friends cheer them on from the beach. Brothers and sisters also participate, helping to solidify an often strained bond between siblings. Our surf events focus on both the athletes and their families, who are treated to a well-deserved day of relaxation, healthy food and lifestyle guidance.
A WALK ON WATER surf events are currently held only in California and run concurrent to warm weather and favorable surf conditions, which is generally early spring to late fall. Private surf therapy sessions are available year-round for families willing to brave colder water and less predictable surf.
Athletes who experience additional rounds of surf therapy will often see additional therapeutic benefits, so we recommend you encourage your athletes to experience multiple surf events. Many families have remarked that their special needs child shows marked improvement in many areas, especially behavioral, after attending a surf therapy event.
As we scale A Walk On Water, we plan to establish multiple regional chapters in other locales, enabling surf therapy to be offered year-round.
If you are interested sponsoring A Walk On Water event in your community please contact us at info@awalkonwater.com.
Now, A Walk on Water will be holding their last event of the season on November 7 in Huntington Beach at Bolsa Chica Beach from 10AM until 4PM. Check out the lead photo in the post for more details on attending or participating. I’ll thank my friend Swampy Marsh from Disney for turning me onto this notable charity.
Enjoy a few photos that capture what it means for the kids who participate in these events.
