Liesel Orend is thankful for the Chevron Surf Camp’s partnering with the non-profit Friendship Circle to provide surfing lessons for kids with developmental disabilities. Her ten-year-old son Wade sure enjoyed himself.
“It’s very good for him,” Orend said. “Being out here everyday and being with other kids and getting a chance to learn to surf, he loves it.”
The weeklong camp hosted 20 youngsters with special needs and more than 40 volunteer helpers, which included many junior lifeguards.
“It’s pretty cool to see them stand on a board,” said Ashley Cole, 12, a volunteer instructor.
“And to see them just happy and surfing,” said Claire Gunning, 12, another volunteer.
Vince Ray, director of the Chevron Surf Camp, said more than 11,000 kids have passed through the camp over the 21 years he has overseen it. This is the third year The Friendship Circle has participated for a week of surfing at the Chevron camp south of the pier.
“We do a ton of things at the beach but this is the only week that our kids get surf instructions,” said Jason Flentye, program director at The Friendship Circle, which is located in North Redondo Beach and has about 1,000 participants.
Professional surfer Reef McIntosh signed autographs for the kids on Friday, the last day of the weeklong camp.
