WRIGHTSVILLE
BEACH, NORTH CAROLINA – “If I can surf, I can do anything,” is the
axiom of IndoJax Surf Charities, entering its eleventh year of teaching
disadvantaged, medically fragile, and special needs children how to
surf.
“It’s
an incredible journey to witness how surfing and the ocean can change
the lives of others for the better,” said Jack Viorel, founder and
director of IndoJax Surf Charities. “We often remind our campers, “If I
can surf, I can do anything.” Having seen so many success stories of
children with special needs, we believe that phrase more than ever.”
Over
the past decade, IndoJax has empowered with higher self-esteem and
confidence over 5,000 children facing a variety of hard-life challenges,
including visual and hearing impairment, cancer, autism, loss of
parents, and other special needs.
“The
biggest thing we see is a growth in confidence,” said Viorel in an
interview with North Carolina Press Release. “Children generally start
our camp with a sense of reluctance, even fear. Probably the most
powerful thing we do is help children get out of their comfort zone,
face a little bit of fear, and succeed. This gives them valuable tools
for everything else in their lives. Surfing is the vehicle we use to
walk each student through the process of building real self-esteem.”
Viorel’s
organization will offer eleven camps over the next twelve months, all
based in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, except one camp each in
India, California, and Nicaragua.
“Wrightsville
Beach is a beautiful beach and has fantastic conditions,” said Viorel.
“The surfing community and businesses such as Blockade Runner Beach
Resort are so supportive of our charity work. The surfers and residents
seem to be motivated to help the less fortunate. I think Wrightsville
Beach is a very special place.”
IndoJax
Surf Charities offers the camps at little or no charge to participants.
Blockade Runner is hosting and contributing a highlights and awards
show in August to help cover surf camp costs. Other key supporters
include the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation, United Healthcare, and Live
Oak Bank. Donations can be made to specific camps at this link:
https://www.crowdrise.com/indojaxsurfcharities
“There
are lots of success stories,” said Viorel. “One that stands out is a
kid from our Visually Impaired Surf Camp. He started the first year we
held the camp and returned for several years. He became so accomplished
at surfing he was an instructor for a year before heading off to
college. Imagine that, a blind surf instructor.”
Parents
are heavily impacted by the surf camp experience. “Some parents are
overly protective of their special needs child and don't let them try
new things. Our program teaches them that their child can do a lot of
things if just given the opportunity,” said Viorel.
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