2016 Stance ISA Adaptive Surf Clinic. Photo: ISA/Sean Evans
The tents are up and the mats are out, but today was all community and no competition.
As the sun rose to light up the lovely beach of La Jolla Shores in San Diego, CA on the morning of Dec. 8th, a unique group of surfers gathered at the water’s edge ready to share the stoke.
Adaptive surfers of all ages and skill levels, from all over the world donned their bright yellow jerseys, as they took to the water, some for the first time, at the Stance ISA Adaptive Surfing Clinic.
With surfboards ranging from long soft-tops to high performance short boards, some with handles along the rails, others with unique fin set-ups or shapes, the Junior Seau Foundation and Challenged Athletes Foundation provided a wide variety of equipment, so any person with any disability could find the right fit.
“The ocean frees us, it relieves us from our fight with gravity and is all inclusive,” ISA President Fernando Aguerre explained as the first group of eager participants paddled out.
2016 Stance ISA Adaptive Surfing Clinic Partipants. Photo: ISA/Sean Evans
With a group of 20+ volunteers in red and white rash-guards scattered from the outside peak to the inside white water, each adaptive surfer caught more than a handful of waves and came in with a shivering smile asking, “When can we go back out?”
“Even if it was a contest, the points wouldn’t matter to me,” said Mike Robbins-Waid, a San Diego local participating in the clinic. “I just love surfing. I probably got my longest solo-ride of my life today.”
Local clinic participant Mike Robbins-Waid gliding down the line. Photo: ISA/Sean Evans
As the waves kept rolling in, so did the high-fives, each surfer showcasing their own unique style. Some were prone, others a laid-back upright position, whatever seemed to work for them to feel the stoke.
William Thompson, a 9-year-old participant in the clinic, shared his excitement after getting out of the water. “I am having a blast here at La Jolla Shores. Some of the waves were big and I got barreled on a few. I felt really safe out in the water with the volunteers that were helping me in the clinic.”
Professional Adaptive Surfer, Christiaan Bailey, was sure to be on-hand to give pointers to all the up-and-comers.
“It’s always so awesome, all the kids are frothing and that’s what it’s all about,” Bailey said.
With a full helping of stoke from the morning’s clinic, the flags began to fly as the competitors gathered to represent their nation in the opening ceremony.
Seventy-seven competitors representing 22 countries and plenty more volunteers and participants strolled down the boardwalk for the Parade of Nations.
With flags waving, the teams marched toward the stage chanting their country’s mantra and amping each other up.
Toting sand from their home beach, a representative from each competing nation added a piece of their home into the “Sands of the World,” an ISA tradition for each of their events forging the unity of the surfing community.
Representatives from each country on stage with ISA President Fernando Aguerre to offically kick off the 2016 Stance ISA WASC. Photo: ISA/Sean Evans
And with the stage set, ISA President Fernando Aguerre welcomed everybody with what he called a “salt water hug” and officially began the 2016 Stance ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship.
The competition begins tomorrow morning, Dec. 9 at 8AM PST and will stream live at isaworlds.com.
