For the second year in a row, one of S&A’s favorite brands, Billabong, produced one of the most fun and meaningful special events that united the Virginia Beach surfing community with dozens of combat-wounded veterans.
Taking over the beach at First Street was Billabong’s Wounded Warrior Surf Camp, which ran all day on June 20. Father’s Day obligations couldn’t keep upwards of 50 volunteers from turning out to lend a hand to the rehabilitating soldiers. In fact, once I was done snapping photos and made myself available for helping out, event coordinator and VB surfing fixture Jason Borte said he was maxed out with volunteers. He just told me to grab a board and get wet, so, of course, I did!
But that was what the event was all about: The surfing community giving back in a small way to people who lay their lives on the line everyday as they serve the United States.
One of the campers, John Madigan, shared his story with me under the tents. He is an Army man from Wyoming (stationed in Colorado) who was struck by an errant air supply drop in Afghanistan. The cargo blindsided John, breaking his ankle, arm and back. Currently, he faces another year of physical therapy before he can return to service.
But on this day, the only thing he had to worry about was catching the friendly one-foot rolling waves pushing across the sandbar -- perfect for learning and teaching the sport to newcomers.
“It’s been a great day - a bunch of fun all-around and definitely better than sitting around the hospital,” said John, who caught more than his fair share of waves. “I’m thankful that Billabong provided this for all of us.”
The stoke displayed by the vets was truly invigorating to witness. Several campers picked volunteers brains about taking up surfing either where they are stationed or call home. I have no doubt a few more lifers were created that day.
Jessica and Chris from S&A represented the shop by donating their instruction at the camp and stoked vets like Marine Daniel Mickel, pictured here getting a nice ride.
Taking over the beach at First Street was Billabong’s Wounded Warrior Surf Camp, which ran all day on June 20. Father’s Day obligations couldn’t keep upwards of 50 volunteers from turning out to lend a hand to the rehabilitating soldiers. In fact, once I was done snapping photos and made myself available for helping out, event coordinator and VB surfing fixture Jason Borte said he was maxed out with volunteers. He just told me to grab a board and get wet, so, of course, I did!
But that was what the event was all about: The surfing community giving back in a small way to people who lay their lives on the line everyday as they serve the United States.
One of the campers, John Madigan, shared his story with me under the tents. He is an Army man from Wyoming (stationed in Colorado) who was struck by an errant air supply drop in Afghanistan. The cargo blindsided John, breaking his ankle, arm and back. Currently, he faces another year of physical therapy before he can return to service.
But on this day, the only thing he had to worry about was catching the friendly one-foot rolling waves pushing across the sandbar -- perfect for learning and teaching the sport to newcomers.
“It’s been a great day - a bunch of fun all-around and definitely better than sitting around the hospital,” said John, who caught more than his fair share of waves. “I’m thankful that Billabong provided this for all of us.”
The stoke displayed by the vets was truly invigorating to witness. Several campers picked volunteers brains about taking up surfing either where they are stationed or call home. I have no doubt a few more lifers were created that day.
Jessica and Chris from S&A represented the shop by donating their instruction at the camp and stoked vets like Marine Daniel Mickel, pictured here getting a nice ride.
Also, check out Raven's vimeo vid covering the day's events:
In unrelated surf news, the tropical wave we were tracking last week decided to flare out as it approached the Antilles. It’s now located near Hispanola -- way out of our swell window -- and will continue its run westward. I’ll keep you posted on future tropical activity.
As for weather closer to home, it looks like a fetch of southeasterly winds will blow up a small windswell for the Mid-Atlantic region, most notably on the Outer Banks, which should see surf in the knee- to waist-high range for the remainder of the week. Standout bars will probably get some plus sets. Up this way, there should be a longboard-able wave throughout the late week. Better than flatness, I guess.
Anyhow, we have a ton of content lined up to stoke you through these flat dog days. Keep checking back!
-- John Streit.
As for weather closer to home, it looks like a fetch of southeasterly winds will blow up a small windswell for the Mid-Atlantic region, most notably on the Outer Banks, which should see surf in the knee- to waist-high range for the remainder of the week. Standout bars will probably get some plus sets. Up this way, there should be a longboard-able wave throughout the late week. Better than flatness, I guess.
Anyhow, we have a ton of content lined up to stoke you through these flat dog days. Keep checking back!
-- John Streit.
No comments:
Post a Comment