- April 20, 2024
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Caleb Crockett gets a boost from a SFA volunteer to ride the wave.
Richter will be competing in surfing competitions for the Special Olympics next month.
Garren Manning enjoyed his ride through the waves.
Jacob Lain gets a high-five from volunteer Natalie Carter, who helped him surf to the shore. Photos by Jeff Dawsey
Skye Cronje seemed to be getting along just fine.
Hundreds of relatives with special needs children crashed the beach to participate in the seventh-annual Surfers for Autism event on Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Flagler Beach Pier.
Families journeyed from as far as Miami and other neighboring states to take part in the occasion that allows them to feel normal.
“Everybody here is family,” said Doug Brooks, who captured photos of his son, Trace, dashing through the water. “If you’re kid has a meltdown out here, you don’t feel like a like three-headed monster. Everyone knows what you’re going through, and they try to help out your kid.”
Out to show his support for the special needs community was John Fischer, a former Flagler County School Board member, who said, “Kids with disabilities, to me, are role models. With all the hate going on in the world, these kids play and work together and don’t care about race, looks or anything. The parents who are with them 24/7 also don’t get enough credit. They’re an inspiration to me, and they should be an inspiration to a lot of people.”
Tracy Bastante, mother of autistic surfer Damian Richter, remembers when she first allowed him to participate in SFA’s first event nine years ago.
“I was scared because he was very little and the waves were big that day,” she said. “But the first time he rode in on that board, he had a smile from ear to ear.” Richter has since competed in many surfing events and has won over 40 trophies. He will be competing in the Special Olympics next month for surfing.
“Surfing gave him an identity,” an identity,” Tracy added. “Surfers for Autism lets us identify with other families. While these kids may be on a different level, they’re all fighting that same battle.”
Worth repeating: “If you’re kid has a meltdown out here, you don’t feel like a three-headed monster. Everybody knows what you’re going through, and they help out your kid.”
DOUG BROOKS, on Surfers for Autism
Say what? “I told Damian we had to cut his hair, but he said, ‘No, I have to keep it long, because I’m a surfer dude, and all the girls play with it.’”
TRACY BASTANTE, Damian Richter’s mom on his hair
