Another sold-out Surfers Healing to takes place
By Lorne Chambers | Editor
Surfers Healing has camps in South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Washington, California, Hawaii and even Mexico and Australia. However, the charity is synonymous with Folly Beach. That’s because for the last decade Nancy Hussey and company have helped build an event out here that locals are proud of. On Aug. 25, the ninth annual Surfers Healing event will be held on Folly Beach.
Many children with autism struggle with sensory overload; in other words, simple sensations can overwhelm them. The weightlessness and rhythms of the ocean offer a therapeutic experience, a respite from the constant assault on their senses. So every year Surfer’s Healing takes kids with autism surfing. They paddle out together on tandem boards to catch the waves. The response from the children is truly inspiring.
“Our Folly Beach Camp has evolved over the last nine years from probably the smallest stop on the Surfers Healing tour to a completely full event, with hundreds on a waiting list,” says Hussey, who founded Folly’s chapter of Surfer’s Healing and has been the driving force behind the charity locally.
With community support and the charity’s exposure at an all-time high, Hussey hopes this year’s Surfers Healing event will be the best one yet. “Every year we try to see how we can better serve our incredible families that come for Surfers Healing,” says Hussey. “By really listening to the parents and volunteers, we try our best to make improvements and tweaks that will help the day run smoothly and pack in as much fun as we can.”
According to Hussey, there are now team leaders for the various volunteer jobs on the beach, making a huge difference in the organization of the event. “We have so many absolutely incredible volunteers, many have been with us since the beginning with new friends joining in all the time,” she says. “It’s a beautiful thing and a joyous feeling when everyone comes together for Surfers Healing. The terms ‘giving back’ and ‘paying it forward’ are used a lot. It’s true, but in my heart I believe that the volunteers, friends, sponsors, the Folly Beach community, and everyone who comes out feel as though they receive much more than they give. I know I do.”
Prior to the big event on Aug. 25, there will also be a benefit for Surfer’s Healing on Saturday, Aug. 6 from noon until 5 p.m. at Loggerhead’s Beach Grill, located at 123 West Ashley Ave. One-hundred percent of the proceeds form the event benefit Surfers Healing Folly Beach Camp.
In the future, Hussey says she would like to see the Folly’s Surfers Healing become a weekend-long event. “I would love for our ‘One Perfect Day’ to be ‘Two Perfect Days!,’” she says. “To accomplish this, we’ll need more help than ever before. We can make it happen!” She says there are many ways to be involved with Surfers Healing. You can join the Surfers Healing Folly Beach Facebook Group or call her at (843) 343-4047 or email surfershealingfolly@gmail.com.
