5th Annual Surfers For Autism @
Lori Wilson Park Cocoa Beach Fl.
- June 12, 2013
- 0 Comments
- By Story/Photos By Tri Bell
The outstetched arms of Brevard County opened its heart to the 5th Annual Surfers For Autism event at Lori Wilson Park on Saturday, June 8th, 2013. This was the sixth stop on the fifteen stop tour. A tour which is jump-started in Australia during January and pulls into its final stop in Puerto Rico during November. As I walked through the canopy of the green tropical foliage of the boardwalk that morning, I could hear the faint sound of a p.a. system playing songs of welcoming, excitement, and anticipation. My eyes were then greeted with a tent village of sponsors, registrants signing up for the events, and mother nature looking down on all in attendance with rideable waves, cerulean blue skies, and a warm sultry tropical breeze. This assignment would be a magical one as well as a memorable one.
Participants were lined up in the sand at the registration booth around 7:30 for their chance to paddle out into the summer waters of the Atlantic, turn around, and with the help of the communities overwhelming support of volunteers, Catch A Wave. Dave Rossman of the foundation said with a smile, “we registered 200 participants within twelve hours, (perhaps even eight hours), have eighty on stand by, and expect over three thousand supporters stopping by throughout the day.” The morning continued on with excitement, and Don Ryan of the foundation took over the helm of the microphone. He asked all the volunteers for the day to make a half circle in front of the media booth and get instructions for the full day of events. Don’s kind hearted persona sat crossed legged in the sand next to two participants from previous years. He addressed over 350 volunteers on the procedures for the day and stressed safety and compassion. A process he has fine tuned over the last five years and from the conversation we had, will only get bigger and bigger in the years to follow. He is just that type of person, and his excitement of giving back glows in his expression and determination. Throughout the day, Don made a point to thank each and every sponsor, with a bit of banter of all who supported the event. He said, “It’s not easy for me to stroll into Brevard County and ask for all this support but the Brevard community never lets the children or foundation down with donations.”
In addition to surfing for the registrants, the Cocoa Beach Police and Cocoa Beach Fire Departments supplied two of their own. A police cruiser and a fire truck were parked in the lot and participants could paint their inner most thoughts on each. Food vendors were also on hand supplying lunch, water, and a friendly face of service throughout the day. Local artist, Mark Longnecker, hand painted another masterpiece of a board to be raffled off. He also held a Sunday Tattoo party at his shop with proceeds going to Surfers For Autism. This truly has turned into a complete weekend event, with reception parties, 80’s dance happy hours, and lets not forget all the surfers we clapped for, smiled for, and just cheered on throughout that sunny, Saturday afternoon in June of 2013.
I don’t think I will ever forget this past weekend, for this has been one of the most heart touching stories I have written about since putting my landing gear down here three years ago. Hats off to Surfers For Autism, the sponsors, the volunteers, and all the youngsters who got to fulfill a dream. I saw, felt, captured, and shard in your triumphs. A day of celebration and appreciation. Now I know why I call this great county home.
