Visually impaired and deaf students taught to surf

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Florida Surfing Association and Florida School for the Deaf and Blind teach students how to surf

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 21 June, 2012 : - - Defining surfing to be the 'universal language' the Florida Surfing Association introduced the art of surfing to yet another special group of people. On Tuesday, June 19th the Florida Surfing Association teamed with the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind to teach their students how to surf at Huguenot Memorial Park for the second year. 

The Florida Surfing Association taught 70 blind or visually impaired and deaf students to surf and feel the ocean’s healing this week – opening doors that may normally appear to be closed. Each student was paired with his or her own surf instructor and ASL interpreter and after a short stretch and safety lesson they were taken out into the ocean for two 20-minute surf sessions. In addition to the one on one surf instruction, the students were able to build sand castles, play beach golf, check out a protected sea turtle’s nest and enjoy a cookout on the beach.

“It was an incredible day, the smiles were endless and the kids could not stop talking about their experience. They will never forget the experience, nor will the instructors.  My favorite part was hearing a blind girl telling her counselor she wanted to be a ‘pro surfer’ one day,” quoted Director Paul West.

Not only did the Florida Surfing Association bring out the top surf instructors and interpreters from North East Florida but they were also joined by two deaf instructors from Kentucky and Tennessee. For the second year these two gentlemen came from a couple states away to lend their time and knowledge to the remarkable students seen on the beach on Tuesday. 

Through efforts of the Florida Surfing Association, the sport of surfing continues to prove the great healing power of the ocean. “When you’re out in the ocean it doesn’t matter your technique of communicating, because the water and sport of surfing serve as your pathways of communication,” stated surf instructor Bill Capley.   

www.floridasurfing.org


Source: FSA

Author Britt Hoyland

Tags: Florida, Blind, Visually Impaired, Deaf, Surf Lessons

Events: Surfersvillage