The Hawai'i Adaptive Surfing Championships

History in the making and life changing for all connected to it

This past week I had the opportunity through work to support AccesSurf Hawai'i, a non-profit here in the islands dedicated to creating access to the ocean for all people.

I actually learned of this organization and met its leader, Cara Short, a number of years back when I applied for a job there. While I did not get the job, the impact of what they do to empower people with disabilities, those seen and unseen, left its mark and I’ve since been a fan and have wanted to find a way to help.

Things in life have a way of aligning when they are ready and at work with Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages, I was able to do so by providing a valuable resource, water, which people loved, and by helping to tell their story through a media partnership we have with The Inertia.

I took screenwriting as a course in college, have written screenplays, but documentaries have always been most fascinating to me as I love to learn about the inspirational stories of people and companies doing good. After outlining the vision for a micro-doc type of treatment telling the story of AccesSurf, why we’re supporting through our Kōkua Initiative and marketing departments, we got the greenlight!

Whenever I begin a creative journey, I never know where it leads, and this was one of those experiences that gave soul much more than expected.

Heroic tales - each of the 100 plus athletes from 17 countries around the world has a unique story and their daily commitment to get out there and do what they love regardless of the challenges and adversity faced is awe-inspiring.

There’s Rich Julian. the co-founder of AccesSurf. A local boy who grew up surfing back in small kid time, Rich was hit by a drunk driver as a teen and could no longer enjoy the ocean in the way that he once did. He learned of adaptive surfing and oceansports and committed to starting this organization, which is arguably one of the world leaders in adaptive oceansports.

As I interviewed Rich for this project, he kept touching on the divine, how he felt it was all for a reason, and how much mana there was at these events. There were moments that we spoke when the crowd gathered in Waikiki to watch the Kamehameha Day parade celebration cheered for the procession, but the cheers matched what he said. I couldn’t help but think this was the timing as how it was meant to be. Much like the wind could grace us to remind us of the divine dance all around, that was a moment in time where as Rich pointed out, one could feel the mana, as it flowed all around.

Speaking of timing, we’ve all been a part of the past couple of years without our normal rhythms and the last time that this event happened was in 2019, pre-pandemic. Like companies in all industries, AccesSurf had to pivot, but for live event companies, THIS IS WHAT YOU DO, and to get back out there is what it’s all about.

As the ride would have it, a three year wait just set the stage for history in the making as the return of the Hawai'i Adaptive Surfing Championships was also the first ever stop of and kick-off to the new professional world tour for adaptive surfing! The fact that this event was taking part in giving birth to a new series, presenting great opportunities to these athletes, in the Hawaiian Islands, in the shadow of the Duke Kahanamoku Statue in Waikiki, was not lost upon me.

As someone who feels called to serve others, especially in my home, this past week was full of chicken skin moments and I was humbled and honored to play my small part in helping out this 'ohana and the community they have created.

In the few days that we were able to be there behind-the-scenes, I heard some many amazing stories of athletes, from athletes themselves, and even more so, the volunteers.

"Alana (Nichols) caught her first wave with AccesSurf.” I’d hear from Cara, and Alana would follow that up with: “I heard about it while on a trip here and I contacted Cara, it was here day off, but they arranged to get me in the water right away.”

In talking with her, I’d learn that Alana, a multi-time Paralympic medalist in Alpine Skiing and Basketball, is working hard to get this sport added to the Paralympics.

“It’s like seeing your family after having seen them in a long time.” A volunteer shared with me as she recounted seeing one athlete for the first time in over a decade.

“I arranged my time off just so I could be here for the week…” A story it seemed that many of the volunteers shared.

As a former non-profit professional of many years, I can attest that volunteers are the life force that help non-profits do the work that they do and serve people. Many of the AccesSurf volunteers have been with them for over a decade. They keep coming back because the few hours they are able to give to help create and share the joy of the ocean with those who might otherwise not have the opportunity to be in it, is something that gives them so much more.

I’m in awe of what took place this past week and I wanted to write about it because it gives me hope.

People from all walks of life gathered around what they loved, found a way to connect, and not only that, to sacrifice and give to those in need. We’re often inundated by what’s wrong in the world. Whether that’s a nefarious design, a form of social control, or just how it is, I believe even more so it is important that we focus and find meaning.

Throughout her interview, Alana touched on serendipity. Tears found her and me, a Gemini, was left with a loss of words as I could only feel. It was a reminder of this:

There is good in the world if you want it.

I don’t consider myself to be overly religious but I am spiritual and I do believe that ‘Seek and ye’ shall find’ holds great weight. And it works both ways, believe the noise of chaos, find more noise and chaos, look to the Light, and the Light allows you to see.

One of the things many non-profits struggle with is getting to tell their story and compete in the all-too expensive media landscape. Partnerships with other companies and supporters are one way to help spread the message and I’m very grateful that we’re getting to help in this way. Like the volunteers who shared how much they felt they got, I felt like I took away so much more than I could have imagined and I’m even more psyched to find other creative ways, personally and professionally, to help out.

To learn more about AccesSurf, visit their site, and stay tuned for Waiākea’s micro-documentary with The Inertia, which will come to life in the next few months.

Mahalo ke Akua and a hui hou!