By Bill Davis | Current Staff Writer
For months now volunteers and organizers of Folly Beach’s 10 annual Surfers Healing camp have been hustling to put together the annual daylong event that introduces children with special needs to surfing and new horizons on Folly Beach.
On Thursday, Aug. 24, Folly Beach will welcome 50 specially-trained surf instructors who will take children on the Autism spectrum out for the rides of their lives on surfboards.
It is the 10th year in a row it has been held on Folly Beach and is the 20th anniversary of the international movement to get autistic kids into the ocean and on some waves.
It’s one of Mayor Tim Goodwin’s favorite events every year, and he will once again serve as the official greeter for all 250 participants and their families when they descend on Folly.
“It’s a wonderful day, everyone needs to come down and watch these kids and pro surfers go out on these paddle board-sized boards,” said the mayor. “The instructors take them out, get them to stand up on the board a couple of times … they really work their butts off.”
Goodwin laughed, saying the event usually falls on “the hottest day of the year,” that leaves everyone worn out for a good cause. “It’s heart-lifting,” he said.
Sarrita Vann’s 14-year-old son Matthew will attend for his ninth year in a row.
“It really opened a new world of adventure to him,” Vann says of her oldest, high-functioning child, who attends a special class at Moultrie Middle in Mt. Pleasant.
Matthew may have “fussed” a little his first time going out on a board, says Vann, but once the initial shock was over, he wanted to go again. And again. For nine years running.
Vann, who describes herself as a “YOLO Mom,” says she wasn’t worried, in part because of the trained instructors who come from all over the country to pitch in. “I realized no matter what happens he will survive,” she says.
Her younger daughter, who is not on the spectrum, was so inspired by her brother that she took to surfing at 6 years old, in part to be there to help Matthew.
“It’s so good because all the kids who come to the event, it feels like no one is judging them or staring at them for their quirks,” says Vann, a local makeup professional. “It shows that people with disabilities can conquer obstacles in different ways.”
Vann says that how people define themselves, on or off the spectrum, can vary. “For some people it’s they’re good at math, or that they go to college; for others it’s about whether they can surf,” she says.
Founded by professional surfer “Izzy” Paskowitz, Surfers Healing began in 1996 in California as a one-off camp for kids with Autism after his own child was diagnosed with the disorder. From there it has spread all over the world, with sites all over New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.
Nancy Hussey has been with the Folly event since its inception. She’s seen kids from all over the country be transformed by surfing, and families get the rare chance to find a community that completely understands everything they’re going through.
“It’s no big thing for a kid to have a tantrum on the beach; no one stares at them,” says Hussey. “Two kids spoke for the first time last year, and one mother fainted.”
Hussey says the Folly event has become so popular that registration for this year’s 250 spots “filled up in 4 minutes,” and has an impressive waiting list. Last year, participants flocked in from as far away as Texas and Michigan, with more than 70 zip codes represented.
Folly has become an especially popular destination for the instructors, according to Hussey, as they love the small-town appeal of the beach community here. “We’re probably the smallest venue on the tour.”
This year’s event will be robust, as usual, as volunteers man shoreline crews, welcoming crews, play areas, food tents, among others. Lifeguards, paramedics, EMTs, all donate their time.
Mayor Goodwin says even the parking lots open up for free for participating families. “Well, all but one,” he says.
Loggerhead’s Beach Grill will host a fundraiser benefit Saturday, Aug. 19 in preparation of the event. Local filmmaker John Barnhardt is sending out a video drone to catch aerial footage as part of his annual documentary video.
This year, Hussey hopes a fire truck covered with Autism ribbons will be on hand, as well as a specialized psychiatrist.
As usual the Dubplates will serves as the house band for the event, and Blu will welcome a silent auction and raffle.
Basically, the only people who won’t come out from the Surfers Healing event without a smile and a full heart will be the ones who didn’t come out to Surfers Healing.
