South Padre Island surf clinic makes the ocean accessible for all

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SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — Disability didn’t hold back a group of surfers here Sunday.

For the ninth year in a row, SPI Sessions hosted its Special Needs Surf Clinic over the weekend, where people of all ages living with disabilities got to ride some waves with the help of volunteer adaptive surf instructors. The clinic took place on the sandy shore outside of Barry’s Beach Bar, with small but powerful surf, perfect for instruction.

Adaptive sports advocate and SPI Sessions founder Aarin Hartwell started the annual clinic in 2016.

Her good friend Guy Takayama, a renowned surf board shaper and professional long board surfer, had mentored her on adaptive surfing in California.

Hartwell brought that experience to South Padre Island, her home, to share the joy of surfing with the Rio Grande Valley special needs community, where approximately 12.6% of residents live with a disability, according to RGV Health Connect.

“These events are so moving in so many ways,” said Hartwell. “I typically will break down in tears a couple times throughout the event.”

Sunday’s clinic facilitated 30 participants. It was a smaller crowd compared to past years; some of Hartwell’s clinics saw upward of 140 participants. Yet, there was no shortage of smiles and laughter on the beach Sunday.

A few of the participants come back every year to “enjoy the stoke,” says Hartwell, like young Andres Lobato.

According to his mother Minerva Garcia, Lobato was born with a cleft foot, has seizures, a speech delay, and ADHD, and recently had surgery on his leg, to assist with his mobility.

Garcia says the special needs surf clinic means the world to her and her son, especially because of the trust she has in the volunteer instructors that help out each year. She doesn’t mind making the hour-and-a-half drive to the island for the annual clinic, because of the joy surfing brings her son — something she has never done herself.

“Everybody’s so happy he gets to do this kind of stuff, especially when you look at him and he can barely walk,” said Garcia. “It makes it worth it because he gets to experience that, something I haven’t even experienced.”

Another mother, Erica Riveria brought her son Eric, and his best friend of 20 years, Bryan, for their third surf clinic.

Eric Riveria was born with hydrocephalus, and has a learning disability, speech delay, and seizures. But that doesn’t stop him from being an active social butterfly, his mother says.

“They really enjoy being a part of something the world would say is not accessible,” said Riveria.

It wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated instructors, who treat each surfer with patience, compassion and encouragement.

Volunteer adaptive surf instructor Sarah Dorris has been there from the beginning of the annual clinic, she says. Her mother was a special needs teacher, giving Dorris perspective on how to accommodate and cheer on those with special needs.

“At the start of it, they’re timid, they’re scared, some of them don’t even know how to swim. But at the end of the day, they’re confident. They’re jumping in there themselves,” said Dorris. “They don’t even want to stop. A lot of times, we’ll stay later to work with some of them just because they’re having such a good time. They don’t want it to end.

“It has to be the most fulfilling volunteer work that I’ve done in my entire life.”

Dorris says beyond time spent in the beautiful ocean, the surf clinics give confidence, freedom, and a sense of normalcy to participants.

This year, she brought her own three children to help with the event, hoping to pass down community compassion for them to carry on into the future.

“As a mom, I hope my kids continue to do what I taught them, and that’s to take care of everybody,” said Dorris.

The clinic concluded with an awards ceremony, where everyone left with a trophy, feeling accomplished.

As the curtain closes on this year’s special needs surf clinic, Hartwell will be turning her attention to the next — a tradition she pours her heart into.

“Surfing has an absolute ability to transform a life through memory, feeling, and capability, which is exactly why special needs persons, no matter what their handicap, should have the opportunity to experience surfing,” said Hartwell.

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