Deerfield Beach, FL —On April 2, 2011, Surfers For Autism returns to Deerfield Beach to kick-off the 2011 surfing season on World Autism Awareness Day, and it is the perfect venue to get the ball rolling on what promises to be an even bigger year for the expanding nonprofit organization. 2010 was a banner year for Surfers For Autism that eclipsed expectations on a number of levels. Close to 2,000 children on the autism spectrum surfed in coastal communities from Deerfield Beach to Jacksonville Beach. Thousands of supporters flooded concert venues between Fort Lauderdale and Cocoa Beach to hear the best local artists and help support the SFA mission of bringing these lifechanging events to as many children and families as possible. SFA took the global stage with an appearance on the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, while also appearing in traditional and new media in each host community. With this year’s event falling on World Autism Awareness Day, attendance records will be broken. 

“It really is astounding to say it out loud: our fourth annual Deerfield Beach event. When we started this organization, we knew it would be something very special that would change lives and unite communities, but the response has been overwhelming,” said SFA President Don Ryan. SFA started off by taking a small group of children in the autism spectrum surfing and has evolved into a full-fledged philanthropic beach party replete with bands, face-painting, fire trucks and a range of activities. “The events just keep getting bigger and bigger, and we are gaining traction across the United States and beyond. We have countless fun activities for the children, but part of the beach is dedicated to groups and organizations that provide resources and support to families affected by autism,” said Ryan. Formed in December of 2007, SFA has grown from a handful of dedicated volunteers into a traveling road show that binds communities in ways hard to describe. The locals are stunned when they show up to their beach on a Saturday morning to see thousands of children, families and volunteers bonded in pure joy. The goal is to bring this feeling to as many communities as possible, and the demand is growing. “We are fielding inquiries from locations within the United States and well beyond, and our goal as an organization is to introduce our beloved sport to as many children as possible. Parents are stunned by what their child can accomplish in the ocean, and it is very common for them to purchase surfboards shortly after an event,” said Ryan.

It would be quite easy to write a 300-page novel comprised of testimonials and emails from changed families the day after an event, but in the interests of time and brevity, Kara Collins’ account should suffice. “Unless you are the parent of a Special Needs child, you cannot understand the crushing heartache that they are ‘weird,’ and the one kid in the class that doesn’t get invited to a birthday party. The look of pure pride on her face and in her eyes when she rode a wave, it was like a light was turned on inside that’s so hard to reach. I count down the days to the next event when Julia isn’t a girl with Asperger’s, but just a seven-year-old girl catching a wave,” said Collins.

Children on the autism spectrum spend the day being pushed into waves by expert instructors, and with no fear of mocking or awkward stares, families can let their guard down and enjoy the moment for a change. These days are not just about the children, but also the families that deal with so much stress, frustration and uncertainty on a daily basis. Many families withdraw socially for fear of uncomfortable social situations, and SFA events provide a safe setting where they can just enjoy each other for a day. “Words cannot express our gratitude for today; what an amazing event. My son Dylan said it the best, ‘this is the best day ever!” said Caryn Hamblen.

SFA events are free for participating families and also serve as fundraisers, and the money is used to support autism research and advocacy. For organization information, please visit www.surfersforautism.org. For more information about World Autism Awareness Day, visit www.worldautismawarenessday.org. The links below offer a good look into what these days mean to participating children and families.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38157425/dis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htVlDaCKaFw

http://www.thehookcreative.com/SurfersForAutism/2011_Sponsor_Kit/

[MCS]

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