HANALEI — North Shore watermen, firefighters and therapists unite this weekend for a day of ocean recreation for Kaua‘i’s disabled citizens. Kaua‘i County firefighter Kurt Leong is spearheading a version of Access Surf Hawai‘i for the Garden Island. From 9
HANALEI — North Shore watermen, firefighters and therapists unite this weekend for a day of ocean recreation for Kaua‘i’s disabled citizens.
Kaua‘i County firefighter Kurt Leong is spearheading a version of Access Surf Hawai‘i for the Garden Island. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, upward of 20 volunteers will be at Black Pot Beach assisting the physically challenged in accessing the ocean — whether it is surfing or just relaxing in the water.
Leong went to O‘ahu last year to train with Access Surf. When it became clear the organization was unable to expand to Kaua‘i, Leong took the matter into his hands by founding Kaua‘i Ocean Recreation Experience, a program designed to get physically challenged children and adults into the ocean with assistance from trained professionals.
“This is based around therapists and doctors because they are the ones who know disabilities,” Leong said. “We are just the man power. There’s going to be a good number of firefighters there to get this off the ground, one really knowledgeable lifeguard and a surf instructor.”
Joining Leong is Suzie Woolway, co-founder of Think BIG, a Westside brain injury support group. Woolway’s involvement stems from her interest in reuniting her group members with the ocean.
“These are young people who can’t get in the water safely now without support,” she said. “Kaua‘i needs an (ocean recreation) program for people with disabilities, cognitive or physical.”
Word spread and Leong discovered there was no shortage of helping hands: Watermen from all over the North Shore are donating surf boards; American Medical Response is loaning soft seat carriers for transporting people across the sand to the ocean; Kaua‘i Lifeguard Association donated rash guards; life vests were donated by two kayak companies and wood for a wheelchair ramp was supplied by Aloha Lumber.
“The county is loaning a big-wheeled wheelchair to get quadriplegics across the sand and into the ocean,” said the Hanalei fire captain.
Waimea station firefighter Kaina Costa became involved for personal reasons.
“My brother was involved in an accident in front of Coco Palms in 1979 — he was hit by a car the day before his 5th birthday,” Costa said. “This is the first time he’ll be on a board.”
KORE’s intent is to get these special residents and their families to once again enjoy a day at the beach.
“I’m just getting the ball rolling,” Leong said. “This being our first time, we may have more volunteers than participants but I don’t want to turn anyone away.”
If all goes well Leong hopes to have an ocean recreation day for the disabled monthly.
“What I am hoping for is that when people see how serious we are about doing this they will want to get involved and step forward to help us get nonprofit status. It takes a lot of people to take a disabled person across the sand and into the sea. It’s all going to be manpower.”
Disabled persons are invited to come experience the fun and freedom of learning how to surf in a safe environment.
“If you come down, what you will see is a lot of borrowed equipment and a lot of aloha,” Leong said.
To be a participant or to volunteer, call Leong at 651-6416.
• Pam Woolway, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or pwoolway@kauaipubco.com.
