Surfers Healing calls it quits early to keep kids safe in Belmar NJ

Today, September 7th 2008 was the day many local families with children on the Autism spectrum had long awaited. It would mark the 4th time that Surfers Healing visited the Jersey Shore to take our kids out to ride the waves and enjoy the ocean in a way only a surfer can. Today would bring one thing to "our kids" - Magic.

Parents like me had saved the date May 31st for months. We stayed up well past midnight or woke up at the crack of dawn on June 1st in order to get our applications in the minute registration opened. In the past years the "camp" has filled up in just an hour or so of time. This is because there are so many kids in NJ and vicinities with Autism. It is such a popular event here that you have to act fast to get your child registered, or miss out. Autism Family Services of NJ which sponsors the event has done a super job of making the event a day for all the families - not just those lucky enough to have their registration make it in time. They hold a Beach Bash with all sorts of fun kids events, refreshments and volunteers to make the beach day a huge success.

Going to a crowded Jersey Shore beach can be a daunting task for many "Autism families" for a myriad of reasons largely the crowds, noise and the great big bathtub. Beach Bash day is a day where you can go to the beach and just enjoy. You are there among "friends" and people who understand when your child tromps their sandy feet right across your blanket because they are chasing a seagull or trying to read the sign on the airplane banner that is flying over.

Once we'd made it through the daunting registration and confirmation hurdle for the event (it is handled by 1 Surfers Healing volunteer who has her hands and heart full not to mention a crazy travel schedule) - we crossed off the days til September 7th, 2008 came around.

Today, a date for heroes - surfers.

This year they were expecting a record turnout for the Belmar Surf Camp and Beach Bash. The beach bash anticipated over 2,000 attendees and had closed the nearby parking area into a loading/unloading zone for the event. When I received the email stating that 2,000+ were anticipated I started to hedge on whether we'd attend. This would be my son's 4th time at Surfer's Healing and he'd already surfed twice this summer with POAC. Would I be pressing my luck to bring him to such a busy/crowded event? Our registered surf time was 3pm, so I decided that many people would have already called it a day after eating their Whole Foods free lunch and gone home. We decided we'd go sometime after lunch and give it a try.

And then we learned Tropical Storm Hanna was headed to the Jersey Shore for a visit. Surfers Healing and AFSNJ both provided updates that their events were "rain or shine" and that it would still take place. But, with the worry of the ocean being particularly rough and flood warnings projected for just a day before the Surf Camp I began to waffle. Would it be irresponsible of me to bring him to surf? Who will be more sad if he doesn't get to surf - me or him? Would he have a major meltdown out if we got to the beach and the ocean was declared off-limits? I talked with other parents also in the same boat, and most had made the decision to take them or play it by ear.

This morning both the AFSNJ and Surfer's Healing websites posted updates that the event was still on. As of 6:45 AM that water was not too rough but should the conditions become dangerous the surfing would not take place though the sandy Beach Bash events would still take place. The weather was perfect. Breezy and sunny - in the 80s. We headed out as planned after eating a late lunch.

Once we found parking and got to the beach it was after 2pm. Our surf time was 3pm, so we cut it close. We got there to learn that they had called a halt on entering the water as the waves were too much but that the hold may be lifted if it eased up. Kids who had surfed earlier in the day had a glorious time, though the waters were rough. They'd actually had to resort to using a jet-ski to take the kids out and the waves were fun ones. True to Surfers Healing style - they made magic.

All good things come to an end, however - and the waters had gotten far too dangerous - for anyone, and especially for our kids. Right around 3pm - Jennifer from Surfers Healing announced that the Surfing would not start back up again that it was just too dangerous. First and foremost - our kids safety. I agree with their call.

So, Alex didn't get to surf today.

But.. that doesn't mean he didn't have a glorious time at the beach. Even though he didn't surf - he still got a AFSNJ surfing trophy that he proudly put on his shelf next to his small by growing trophy collection. He still got to spend time with friends, and with his dad and little sister splashing around in the Ocean and enjoying Hanna's rambunctious waves as they made their way up the sand bar. The surfers set up a table and had a meet & greet with the kids and gave them glossy posters that they personalized and autographed. So, they may not have gotten a chance to surf - but they still went away with a positive experience.

The magic was still there.



Thanks Surfers Healing!

More articles about Alex's Autism Surfing Adventures:
Autism Surfing Blog Entry - Surfer's Healing
Autism Surfing Blog Entry - POAC Surf Camp at Brick Beach
POAC Surfing Event -Seaside Park August 2008
Surfer's Healing Autistic Children & Their Families
Surfer's Healing Surf Camp Review
Surfer's Healing Surf Camp Review - A Dad's Perspective