November 8th, 2008

Santa Cruz - Cowells

Cowell's was slow to get started on Saturday, but by noon the waves started picking up and we got folks out in the water. Ryan McNabb was our first participant to hit the waves. Ryan just got out of the military in late September, originally from Illinois he had never surfed before today. After some Dry land instruction from Ampsurf Exec. Director Dana Cummings, and a short work out on the cool new NOHO Surf Trainer Ryan hit the waves with Ampsurf instructor and former Pro Surfer Dave Champion. Dave gave Ryan a great first day taking him way out to the point and helping him catch his very first have. Ryan rode a sweet right in and gets style points for waving to the folks up on the bluff.

Next up was Shelly Alingas a soon to be regular on the Santa Cruz surf scene. Shelly got out there on one of Ampsurfs Liquid Shredder boards and was up in no time. Shelly is also a film maker and is currently working on a documentary about Life Rolls On member Christian "Otter" Bailey.

For the first time in four years original Co-founder and below knee Amputee Greg Birkholtz got back in the water and had some great rides. Greg had to put surfing on hold for long while after having complications with the injuries he had sustained when he lost his leg in a motorcycle accident back in 2001. Greg was nervous about getting back in the water, but once he was in and got set up on his board he was all over it. "I had a blast. I am so happy I went and suited up" Stated Birkholtz, "Thanks also for really caring about my trying to catch a wave and being able to surf" He told Cummings after surfing.

When Greg and Dana were on their way in they saw Ampsurf instructor Marilyn "Mamoo" Schmitt taking Mary Zaineb out to catch her first wave. Mary is 50+ years young, a veteran, a military mom, a volunteer at the Palo Alto VA and not afraid to try something new like catching waves with the Gidget of Pismo Beach. Way to go Mary and Mamoo!!!

It was a great day to hang in Santa Cruz. We had a great group of people out there both participating and volunteering. Christian Bailey came out from Life Rolls On, Max Montgomery from Ride a Wave foundation (RAW) worked his butt off and came through for us with some beach wheelchairs, and Chris Lopez was there from the VA with participants and Volunteers. Mike Degregorio from Bigwaterproductions.com was there to film, as well as Photographer Jeremiah Ridgeway who just returned from Afghanistan. Thanks to everyone who came out and we hope to see you all again this spring when we come back up.

If you would like to help Ampsurf put together these events please spread the word and donate to our cause. If you know a group who might want to help please let them know about us. We would be happy to come and give a presentation and let people know about what we do.

Press Release on SurfLine

The clinic schedule will be as follows for each day:

Goal: to encourage surfing among those with disabilities. The clinic is free to participants though donations are appreciated. Donations will be used to help cover Clinic fees, equipment, and transportation. Surfing instruction will be provided by trained surf instructors, and experienced surfers. These instructors will work with each individual to meet his/her needs and abilities.

Participants are encouraged to contact AMPSURF in advance to make sure all efforts can be made to accommodate his/her disability. Please print out, sign and mail back the Participant/volunteer sign-up form.

Volunteers are needed. Ideally we need a two to one ratio of volunteers to participants sometimes 4to1. If you’d like to volunteer, Please print out, sign and mail back the Participant/volunteer sign-up form.

Sponsors, please visit our site www.ampsurf.com, and contact Dana Cummings at AmpsurfAAS@yahoo.com, or (805) 441.5271 to learn how you can help. We also welcome any charitable events or funds to help support our efforts for the disabled.

Participant/Volunteer Sign-up form

The Association of Amputee Surfers can also be reached via U.S. Mail at
AMPSURF,
c/o Dana Cummings
PO BOX 5045
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403

Association of Amputee Surfers Copyright 2008