Emerald Coast Autism Society

Surfing can be therapeutic for kids, adults

By John Richardson Navarre Press

    A free surfing and marine awareness event has been held on Navarre Beach for many years – but it will now be utilized as a creative therapy tool for area children who deal with physical and developmental disabilities.
    The weekly event was started by Mike and Caryn Martino of Eco-Beach about five years ago. Caryn Martino taught surf lessons while Mike supplied kayaks. Before the Eco-Beach’s Surf Saturdays, there was the Surf and Skate Club, guided by the Stokes family, which spanned almost two decades. This summer, Brenda Stokes and several volunteers, including members of the Navarre Beach Marine S a n c t u a ry Committee, hope to keep the Saturday tradition alive.
    Stokes and A m a n d a Whatley met last weekend on the beach to discuss the logistics of the Saturday morning event.Whatley is the executive director of the Emerald Coast Autism Society. Stokes hopes to include all children and adults in the clinic, regardless of any physical or developmental disability.
    “Last year Caryn and crew had as many as 50 people out here and the program was a big success. The group of children and adults would arrive at 8 a.m. and surf for two hours. We then took the group snorkeling to introduce them to the diverse sea life around the pilings of the pier,”Whatley said.
    Stokes sought out Whatley after the two met at a Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce meeting. Stokes is very interested in introducing surfing to autistic children. Last weekend Stokes and her son, Jason, took Whatley’s two children, Holden and Fred, out for their first lesson on a surfboard.
    Holden and Fred both have been diagnosed with autism. After a gentle push by Stokes, the boys rode their surfboards to shore laughing and screaming with joy.
    “Surfing and the beach is a therapy unto itself,” said Stokes. “In the Panhandle we have the Gulf of Mexico and everything it has to offer. We have white sand, pelicans, sandpipers, terns, black skimmers, herons, sea turtles, crabs, boats of all kinds and beautiful turquoise waters.
    “I have surfed these waters for more than 40 years and can still remember the excitement of riding whitewater on rubber rafts and Styrofoam surfboards before learning to surf on ‘real’ fiberglass surfboards. It is wonderful to see the same excitement on the faces of young and old alike as they catch their first waves. This is why surfing clinics and camps are so important to those of all ages and abilities.”
    Whatley said autistic children have a real appreciation of the waves.
    “They enjoy the gentle rocking motion. Many autistic children do not have the same fears that might stop other children from attempting to go out on a surfboard,” s he said.
    Surfing and Marine Awareness Saturdays is a free event will take place every Saturday beginning June 6th and continue until school starts. Introduction to the surf and surfboards will begin at 8 a.m. and continue until 10 a.m., at which time the marine awareness part of the morning starts.
    Jason Stokes, who also helps with the surfing event, will catch sea life from the shore and provide everyone the opportunity to view them up close in a “touch tank.” Parents are required to stay on the beach with their children. Stokes said that Richard A n d e r s o n from The Fun Store will supply some boards for the clinic, as well as J.B. Schluter from Inner Light Surf Shop in Gulf Breeze.
    Charlene Mauro Fearon, who teaches marine biology at Navarre High School, will bring students to help with the snorkeling activities, which will last about an hour. Stokes hopes that other surfers and students will also volunteer.
    “The beach, surf and especially surfing the waves has special therapeutic qualities which all of us should take advantage of every chance we get,” she said.

For More information contact Amanda Whatley

mandyncis@yahoo.com

(850) 225-4074

Holden Whatley catches a wave at Navarre Beach during the marine awareness event

Photos by John Richardson, Navarre Press

Holden and Fred Whatley enjoyed romping on the beach