Kids surfing through grief, healing one wave at a time
By Angela Cifone
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Hawaii (KITV) — Sun, Surfboards, and support… three key elements bringing healing to Hawai’i’s shores.
Lyndie Irons, Founder and Director of the Andy Irons Foundation, said, “The ocean is the most healing place in the world. It’s healed me. You know, I lost my husband 15 years ago.”
That search for healing led to something bigger.
Kids Hurt Too Hawai’i has teamed up with The Andy Irons Foundation and Billabong for Surf for the Soul – a program using the ocean to help children process grief and trauma.
Zach Hoffman, Facilitator, Kids Hurt Too Hawaii, said, “We give the kids a place to grieve through play.”
He continued, “We’re here to help the kids just enjoy their lives and experience healing through play, through the energy of the ocean, through the power of the present moment.”
Walker Rowsey, Executive Director of Kids Hurt Too Hawaii, said, “Life can come at you like a roller coaster or like a wave. This event helps show the kids that no matter what adversity they’re facing, they can always get back up on that board again and keep going.”
And beyond support, the program created unforgettable moments.
Tiffany Collins, a mother of a participant, said, “It brings relief, it brings gratitude, and I just feel good knowing that, as you know, not only were they able to talk to someone about what they were going through, but they have an outlet like this.”
“It gives them these magical moments with the pros out there, having a once-in-a-lifetime experience that they will remember forever,” said Rowsey.
Moments that stay with everyone involved.
Shane Dorian, a professional surfer, said, “The ocean is so therapeutic, and so to be able to share that with these kids is a lot of fun, and it really means a lot to us.”
Laura Enever, a professional surfer, said, “Everyone was out there with the biggest smiles on their faces. And I even think the surfers had even bigger smiles on their faces.”
Bruce Irons, Andy Irons’ brother and professional surfer, said, “To just see their smiles, it’s priceless.”
And you can’t put a price on happiness.
“The first time I found pure happiness was actually in the ocean. So I chase that happiness all the time,” Said Irons.”
So together they chase that happiness through each wave.
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