By Raya Torres | May 6, 2024
MALIBU — Home to blue skies, sunshine, and crashing waves, Southern California surfers typically head to the beach and take advantage of the clear days. However, one organization makes riding the waves more than just a pastime; they use surfing as a way to pay it forward.
Malibu-based non-profit, THERAsurf, hosts free surf therapy events for children with special needs. Each letter of the organization’s name stands for an aspect of their mission – therapy, healing, equality, respect, advocacy and of course, “surf.”
The organization believes that by providing an inclusive environment for children of all abilities to surf, they can feel empowered and confident in themselves. The free service is open for children of various abilities, and newcomers are always welcome.
During the morning events, a disabled child is paired with a volunteer surf instructor. Together, they surf from a designated “point A” to “point B” along the coast, while onlooking parents and families cheer from the shoreline.
Every year, THERAsurf hosts around six events in California every year and at least two international events. Some of their previous international events took place in Jamaica and Mexico.
Kevin McCarthy, the vice president of the organization, is very passionate about THERAsurf’s advocacy. Often interacting with the families of the children who participate in the events, he says he has witnessed how surfing is a “spiritual” activity that “helps your heart and soul.”
During the events, McCarthy often stands with the parents and watches as their children surf down the coast with an instructor, a task the children wouldn’t otherwise be able to do on their own, given their limited abilities.
“I deal with parents and families a lot and to see their reactions is very emotional,” McCarthy says, slightly tearing up. “It’s hard to talk about because it’s so enlightening. It enlightens their whole family, just everything. It’s super beautiful and I wish we could do it every day of the year.”
The organization was founded in 2010 by Jimmy Gamboa and his former partner, whom he shares a son with. Gamboa’s step son was diagnosed with Angelman’s syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can lead to symptoms including walking disorders and seizures as the person grows up.
One of Gamboa’s close friends, Izzy Paskowitz, was the founder of another surf therapy organization based in Rancho Mission Viejo. The organization, Surfer’s Healing, focused on providing surf therapy for children with autism. As Gamboa’s involvement with Surfer’s Healing grew, he aspired to create his own surf therapy program and expand its services for children with various disabilities.
With this, THERAsurf was born.
Now 14 years since the first THERAsurf event, Gamboa says he is proud to not only see the growth of the organization but also observe how the organization has positively impacted many children and their families.
“Being a parent with a son with special needs, just seeing them be a part of the world is super cool,” Gamboa says with a smile. “It gives them time to be in the ocean when they might not get another chance to.”
Having understood the challenges that parents of special needs children face, Gamboa and other parents look forward to the next THERAsurf events since it provides a safe and uplifting environment for children to build their self-esteem.
Donning a bright pink THERAsurf branded cap and wide smile, Kendra Moss has brought her son Blakey to most of the organization’s events for the past eight years. Moss describes the organization as “the biggest blessing” and she has encouraged at least five other families to attend the events.
“Blakey’s about 14 now, and he was about six or seven when we first came to our first event,” Moss says. “After that first event, we’ve literally been hooked ever since. Every time, it’s an amazing day.”
Moss’ sentiments are echoed by many returning parents. One of whom is Evelyn Delgado, the mother of Sophia Scotto, a 15-year-old with down syndrome.
Delgado says that she has loved coming back to these events for the past three years. She is grateful to have a program that promotes inclusivity, since it has empowered her two children to “feel like they can do everything.”
Delgado’s daughter dreams of being a surfer because she loves being in the ocean. Scotto aspires to continue surfing with THERAsurf and help with the organization one day.
LISTEN: Perspectives of a Malibu-based non-profit giving Free Surf Therapy for Special Needs Kids
Scotto loves riding the waves with volunteer instructor, Soleil Errico. Having grown up in Malibu and being an avid surfer herself, Errico knew several surfers who had become involved with the organization and wanted to participate in their philanthropy.
During Errico’s first event volunteering for the organization at just 18 years old, she “fell in love with it” and called it “the most amazing experience of [her] life.” Errico continued volunteering for THERAsurf for the past six years.
“The reactions of the kids is why we come back,” Errico says, beaming with pride. “They’re just so happy and you can see the twinkle in their eye. It really is a life-changing experience for them because there’s not really a way for them to surf without doing [surf therapy].”
Many volunteer instructors are professional surfers, lifeguards and swimmers who have had extensive experience in the water. Several of the current volunteers have been present since THERAsurf’s founding. Gamboa says he is fulfilled to see the growth of the organization and that surfers are paying it forward by being a part of this organization.
“[The volunteers] doing this for the past 14 years is really a testament to their passion, their love for giving back to the community and just being human,” Gamboa says. “To see it grow and carry on with old families and new families, I couldn’t be more proud.”
To get involved with THERAsurf, you can sign up through the sign-up sheet on therasurf.org or send a message to the organizers through their Instagram account, @therasurf.
