I don't know if it's me just getting older and more sentimental, but I am increasingly getting more emotional about the little things in life. Losing friends and loved ones, or simply saying goodbye until next year, to the kids and their parents at the SURFING WITH SMILES events. Or maybe I'm just an old softy after all. The Summer is flying by, and I think that might be part
of it. Time is not what it used to be.

When I was a kid, time would drag on by. Now? It's like the Polar Express.

The days and weeks are on a fast track to the future. Some of you who are past the half century mark are nodding in agreement. The rest of you are paying no attention to this. And really, why should you? Live your life now. Don't wait until tomorrow to take that surf trip, buy that new board, or that
new wetsuit. Hell, if you're on the fence about buying a house. I say jump.

Jump while you still have the fresh legs to jump with.

And if shit goes wrong? Don't blame me. Because we all know the old saying..."shit happens." And it does. So do regrets. So you either take chances, or accept your regrets. It's your call my friends. Your call.

So the community has three SURFING WITH SMILES each Summer. June, July, and August. It's hard not to get attached to these kids and their parents. I think I can speak for most of the volunteers when I say, I have come to know and understand Autism more today because of this wonderful event.



Lindsay Mercer, Taylor Thomas, and Chelsea Stevens are the trio who started this whole movement. Dave "Crop" Cropper is the main sponsor of these events. Anyone who knows Dave, knows that he has the biggest heart of gold. He's been there every single event. Providing soft top surfboards and wetsuits for everyone. And I mean everyone. The participants and the volunteers. There were close to two hundred people at this last one on August 10th. Think about that. Two hundred people.



There were close to 100 kids who signed up to go surfing.

My old saying of "Surfing Heals All Wounds" is never more apparent than it is at these great events. Surfing does have that healing power. While it might not cure cancer or autism, it certainly helps with your self esteem and putting a smile on your face. And honestly? That's the simple beauty of this event. Putting smiles on the faces of kids with autism.



And much like the Wounded Warrior HIT THE BEACH event, it's hard to tell who is having more fun. The kids or the volunteers? I'd say it's about even.



Just ask Tony here. He looks happy. Hell, there wasn't a sad face all night.



Team Phil were all smiles and BIG GUNS! Until next summer, may you all winter well. And remember kids "Surfing Heals All Wounds"

All the photos above were taken by Martha Lardent.

COMING LATE SUMMER!