Kids feel healing force of waves
By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Columnist
Laurilee Etterbeek watched her 10-year-old daughter, Anastasia, from the shore as she paddled out into the surf break.
Anastasia, who has autism, won a gold medal in swimming in last year's Hawai'i Special Olympics, but she wasn't at all sure about surfing.
"In the car coming here, she was saying, 'I'm not surfing. I'm not surfing,'" Etterbeek said. "Look at her! She's standing up!"
No doubt something wonderful was happening on Kuhio Beach Friday afternoon.
Surfers Healing, a nonprofit organization, held the free surf party for kids with autism and their families. The organization has conducted the surf camps on the Mainland for several years now, but this was the first time founder Izzy Paskowitz and his crew of volunteers brought the event to Hawai'i.
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"This could not have gone any better," said Jennifer Tracy of Surfers Healing. The dramatic thunder and lightning the night before had organizers worried, but the rain cleared in time and the gray skies held fast while keeping folks on the beach comfortable.
Nick Robbins-Rosokow, 11, gets to his feet on a longboard, with help from volunteer Lee Ellis, at the Surfers Healing event for autistic kids at Kuhio Beach.
"I was worried about the weather," said Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz, patriarch of the Paskowitz surfing family. "I was watching Guy Hagi closely. But the heavens smiled down on these children today." Doc Paskowitz looked over at the statue of Duke Kahanamoku with reverence. "Duke would not have let it rain on this day."
Surf instructors from the California Paskowitz surf school were joined by dozens of local surfers who volunteered their time to take the kids out one at a time on longboards.
Rabbit Kekai was there. Former Oxbow world champion longboarder Bongo Perkins was there. New Zealand longboarder Ian Reeder ran his hand across his wet face. "This was so emotional," he said. "Being with these kids in the water was such an emotional thing."
To be sure, there were more than a few nervous children and parents on the beach as things got started.
"My specialty is the grab," said surf instructor Nick Hernandez.
"I know how to get the kids from their parents into the water. It's all about being confident with the kids. And being quick!"
But once in the water, in the arms of a skilled surfer and getting the feel of gliding on a wave, the kids were in bliss.
"Look out there in the water at all those faces. You can't tell which kids have autism," said Naomi Grossman of Autism Hawai'i.
"It's like a roller coaster on water," said 14-year-old Aaron Daguio. "I liked it."
Outrigger Hotels stepped up to help sponsor the event, as did Duke's Canoe Club. Jim Gusukuma of Rainbow Drive-In brought lunch for everyone — chicken, sandwiches and the surfer favorite, chili and rice and mac salad — for 175 people. "I figured if surfers were here, I gotta bring the chili rice, mac salad," Gusukuma said.
Izzy Paskowitz is a former longboard champion. His son Isaiah is the inspiration for Surfers Healing. Isaiah has autism and has loved the water since he was little. Izzy would take his son out on tandem surf sessions and found that the experience made Isaiah calm and happy. Izzy started Surfers Healing to reach out to other kids with autism.
On Friday, Izzy was never out of the water for more than a few minutes, and he never stopped smiling. Parents had to stand in the water to give him a hug and say thanks.
"This is a wonderful thing you have done for us," one tearful father told him, clinging hard to the arm of Izzy's wetsuit. "This was a good, good thing."
Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.
