Burned by Rick Bundschuh Page B

in San Diego, California, where a young surfer decided to give the stoke of surfing to young people who might never have a chance to experience it. He has managed to gather professional surfers from all around the country, including Bethany Hamilton from Hawaii, to be part of the surf clinic for kids with handicaps. Surf companies from all over have donated equipment, and clothing companies have made sure that every kid who gets in the water today goes home looking like a surfer as well.”
    On the sand a huge stage was set up. Banners and flags sagged, waiting for the afternoon wind to inflate them. A Christian rock band was setting up their gear, and volunteers were putting the final touches on a huge table of giveaways for the kids.
    â€œHow did you pull this off?” Bethany asked Liam as she looked around with amazement.
    â€œActually, my dad helped a lot,” Liam said. “He doesn’t surf at all, but he loves to organize stuff. When I suggested the idea to him, it fired him up. Besides, he’s got plenty of money and pull. He got Del and Hank involved too. They know lots and lots of people in the surf industry. Most of the free goodies and gear came because of their hookups.”
    â€œWell, it’s awesome. A really great idea,” Bethany said.
    â€œThat’s what happens when you put your faith into action,” Malia added.
    â€œI dunno. It’s just fun,” Liam said shyly, then he glanced up at them. “In fact, you wanna know something? I have had more fun putting this together than I have from even the best wave I’ve surfed.”
    â€œThat’s ’cause it’s not about you. It always works that way,” Bethany said with a smile.
    â€œWell, let’s go teach some kids to surf!” said Liam.
    For the rest of the morning, large foam surfboards were loaded with handicapped kids, some of whom had to be carried to the water by teams of men. Each child was geared up in a loaner wet suit, courtesy of a famous wet-suit maker.
    Guided into the surf on both sides by a whole army of volunteers, including Bethany and Malia, the kids shivered in the cold water in spite of their wet suits. When the first wave rolled in, a volunteer would slide up behind the child and hold on tightly to keep him or her from slipping off the board when the white water hit.
    Squeals of delight erupted as the huge foamy surfboard was launched by the wave and the pair rode all the way to the sand.
    Depending on the nature of their handicap, some children belly rode in. Others, in time, made the journey to the beach with a wide stinkbug stance.
    â€œDo it again! Do it again!” the kids yelled delightedly.
    Parents waded in to take photos of their children riding a surfboard for the first time. The whole experience filled everyone with a joy they couldn’t explain, but felt deeply.
    At the end of the morning, a van pulled up and for the next five minutes pizzas were unloaded and taken down to the beach. Huge ice chests were rolled out and the children and parents feasted happily on the sand.
    â€œI’m worn out from chasing kids,” Bethany said, tired but happy.
    â€œMe too,” Malia said.
    â€œMe three ,” Liam admitted, and they laughed.
    â€œAnd I’m hungry,” Bethany added.
    â€œHelp yourself to the pizza,” Liam said, “but leave some room for dinner — we have a special surprise for you!”
    By the end of the afternoon the kids were very tired. All of them were wet, salty, and sandy as they made their way back to their family cars with huge smiles on their faces. Their arms bulged with T-shirts, stickers, hats, and other goodies. Most kids had three or four helium balloons tied to their wrists.
    Bethany guessed that on the way home ninety percent of the kids would try to convince their parents to buy them a surfboard.
    That’s how surfing works , she thought with a grin. Try it once and you are hooked for life.
    Liam