201903.23
0

Surf therapy in Newport Beach offers a respite for children with special needs

by in News

The ocean can be healing.

That’s the goal of the nonprofit A Walk on Water, which on Saturday, March 23, hosted a surf therapy session for 100 children with special needs and their families — a break from the challenges they face every day.

  • Special needs surfer Evan Reiner falls off his board despite the help of “A Walk On Water” volunteer Joe Kennefick. The organization was hosting a surf therapy event for children with special needs at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Faith Salazar is all smiles as she makes it to shore with the help of Sophie Elliott. A Walk On Water was hosting a surf therapy event for children with special needs. Volunteers helped the surfers at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Sound
    The gallery will resume inseconds

  • “A Walk On Water” held a surf therapy event for children with special needs. Volunteers helped the surfers at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Jayden Gutierrez surfs with the help of “A Walk On Water” volunteer Joe Rickavaugh. The organization was hosting a surf therapy event for children with special needs. Volunteers helped the surfers at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Evey Johnson smiles when she makes it to the Newport Beach shore. “A Walk On Water” was hosting a surf therapy event for children with special needs at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019.
    (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Caleb Roe is all smiles as he heads to shore after his surfing excursion. “A Walk On Water” was hosting a surf therapy event for children with special needs. Volunteers helped the surfers at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Tessa Taylor seems less than enthused about taking off on a surfboard with Kris Kirksey. A Walk On Water was hosting a surf therapy event for children with special needs. Volunteers helped the surfers at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Volunteer Joe Rickavaugh heads to shore with Zane Vann during “A Walk On Water’s” a surf therapy event for children with special needs. Volunteers helped the surfers at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Jayden Gutierrez makes it to the shore with the help of “A Walk on Water” volunteer Joe Rickavaugh. The organization was hosting a surf therapy event for children with special needs at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • A quartet of surfers head to the Newport Beach shore during an event sponsored by “A Walk On Water,” a surf therapy organization for children with special needs. Volunteers helped the surfers at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Caleb Roe heads to shore with the help of Sam Ahumada. “A Walk On Water” was hosting a surf therapy event for children with special needs. Volunteers helped the surfers at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Tessa Taylor talks with volunteers after finishing her surfing experience. “A Walk On Water” was hosting a surf therapy event for children with special needs. Volunteers helped the surfers at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Carmelo Estevez gets a pat on the head from volunteer Joey Leisz during “A Walk On Water’s” surf therapy event for children with special needs. Volunteers helped the surfers at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Sadie Fuller rides a wave during “A Walk On Water” event at at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Jessica Morgan jumps through a wave as she waits for her surfing opportunity. “A Walk On Water” was hosting a surf therapy event for children with special needs. Volunteers helped the surfers at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Joe Rickavaugh hoists Zane Vann during “A Walk On Water’s” surf therapy event for children with special needs. Volunteers helped the surfers at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Jessica Morgan gets instructions from volunteer Kim Murphy. “A Walk On Water” was hosting a surf therapy event for children with special needs. Volunteers helped the surfers at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Hannah Weitzman looks up for instructions as she heads out on her board. “A Walk On Water” was holding a surf therapy event for children with special needs. Volunteers helped the surfers at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Jessica Morgan gets ready to take off into the surf with the help of volunteer Kim Murphy. “A Walk On Water” was hosting a surf therapy event for children with special needs. Volunteers helped the surfers at the Newport Beach pier on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

of

Expand

Some of the kids who gathered in Newport Beach are battling cancer, others have physical disabilities, and others are facing economic hardships, including homelessness.

“We really welcome anyone who can benefit from the ocean and catching waves,” said Sean Swentek, executive director of AWOW.

Volunteers helped the surfers in the water, pushing them into waves and assisting as they navigated the swell and rip currents. Siblings got to ride waves alongside one another, so they had something to bond over.

“It’s meant to be a day of respite for the entire family who deal with the hardships of raising a child with special needs. It’s a really beautiful thing,” Swentek said.

Guest were treated with food donated by local restaurants including Sessions West Coast Deli and Dori Deli.

The program is free for participants, and since the nonprofit formed in 2012 an estimated 1,000 families around the country have participated.