Surf’s up for participants of HEAL Foundation’s 14th annual camp for children and adults with autism

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If there’s one thing surfers know, it’s that the ocean doesn’t discriminate.

Out there, the color of your skin, your religion or, even, where you happen to lie on the autism spectrum — doesn’t matter. The waves and the wind don’t care. The sea won’t judge. Out there, the only thing you are is a surfer.  

HEAL (Helping Enrich Autistic Lives) Foundation’s annual surf camp uses the impartiality of the ocean, among other aspects, to provide a positive experience for the participants who show up to ride. Now in its 14th year, the camp has grown tremendously, hosting over 30 children and young adults and more than 100 volunteers from the community who contribute their time. 

This year’s event was held both June 18 and 19 in Neptune Beach, and provided participants the choice to kayak, paddleboard, boogieboard or surf with the help of instructors, most of whom are active surfers. Leslie Weed, HEAL founder, said that an important aspect of the camp was the bond between the camper and surfer.

“It’s so calming,” Weed said. “These kids are so keyed up and full of anxiety and you're paired with a surfer that is so laid back. They’re not pushy and they're not going to say, ‘Get on this board.’ They say, ‘Isn't it cool to be out here? Feel the waves.’”

Weed’s own daughter, Lanier, is nonverbal and has attended the camp every year. Lanier has a blast both in and out of the water, coming out every so often to high-five everyone in attendance. In fact, Weed said that half of the volunteers supporting the event aren’t giving surfing instructions but positive encouragement, including more than a few high-fives of their own from the shoreline.

“You have the ingredients for just a perfect formula,” said Weed. 

In addition to the annual HEAL Surf Camp, the foundation hosts a Golf Camp at TPC Sawgrass, a HEAL Autism Walk at the Zoo and iHEAL, a program to provide iPads to nonverbal autistic students, among other programs. Since its inception in 2007, the HEAL Foundation has granted more than $2 million to the local autism community for programs, camps and educational enhancements. For more information about the foundation or to donate, visit HealAutismNow.org.