Breaking Barriers at the Beach - NJ Community Rallies for Special Kids…

“Nicole didn't want to get out of the water... Seeing her beautiful smile every time she was surfing in on a wave was just priceless,” said Nicole’s mother Lana Romano. “Please let everyone know how much we appreciate the wonderful day they gave to our children. It is appreciated more than words can say :)”

That was one of the many messages Best Day Foundation received upon retuning home from New Jersey. Best Day provides children with special needs the opportunity to experience the thrill of surfing, bodyboarding and kayaking – despite their challenges. 

The first Best Day beach camps at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park in Monmouth County, New Jersey this summer faced their own challenges, however. The tail-end of hurricane Helida kicked up large shore pounding surf, a local heat wave sent temperatures soaring – even breaking 103 one day, and the water was filled with stinging jellyfish.

Undeterred by the conditions, a crew of 50 local volunteers and 12 who’d traveled from Santa Cruz, CA, helped more than 30 kids with special needs get in the water to surf and bodyboard in two camps on July 19th and 20th.

Each day was a success filled with fun, smiles, laughter, shattered barriers, and tears of joy. Kids that had never wanted to touch sand before got in the water to their own delight and parent’s surprise. Each day, not only the kids, but the entire beach was treated to a Coast Guard Search and Rescue demonstration in which a Coast Guard rescue swimmer jumped from a Coast Guard helicopter into the surf, rescues the victim and hoists them to safety.

Kids had so much fun bodyboarding and surfing that more than one had to be pulled from the water when it was time to have lunch. It helped that pizza from local sponsor Mad Hatter was on the menu.  

“This is just wonderful. So many people giving their time. To a parent it’s really heart warming,” said Nick’s mom Nora.

Many volunteers were equally touched. “It’s been a while since I was surrounded by so many kind hearts and it felt great. This foundation has opened me up and afforded me an opportunity to give back. thank you,” said Rick, a volunteer.

Other volunteers were also touched in unexpected ways. One left an anonymous note saying “I can't begin to explain how much this experience positively affected me. I'm ashamed to say it but, before Best Day, I had never really been comfortable around people with special needs. Best Day allowed me to have a major personal breakthrough almost immediately… It was beautiful.” 

The camps more than met the local organizers expectations. “It’s pretty emotional...these kids, I don’t know... I like this more than anything. The water is such a big part of my life. These kids love it. They have a great time. That’s what it’s all about,” said Lake Downham, a US Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer and co-founder of the Best Day New Jersey chapter.

“This weekend was amazing. It's been hard to wipe the smiles off of our faces. I can't believe that I get to do this every year for the rest of my life,” Downham’s fiancé, Alexis Leaman, Special Education Teacher and co-founder of the Best Day New Jersey chapter added. “I am truly truly blessed for having this opportunity.”

Best Day Foundation’s Co-Founders Max Montgomery and Brooks Lambert were both pleased with the result. “We couldn’t have done this without a great team of volunteers and incredible community support - both in New Jersey and in Santa Cruz,” said Montgomery, alluding to the equipment Ride a Wave had generously donated and the 12 Ride a Wave volunteers who’d accompanied them, half paying their own way.

“I feel so lucky to be part of such an incredible team. Our volunteers tell us that they have more fun than the kids… I couldn’t agree more, these truly are my best days.” said Lambert. The duo, long time Ride a Wave volunteers and board members, formed Best Day in 2008 to share the type of experience Ride a Wave brings to Santa Cruz with the rest of the country.

Best Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to providing kids with special needs the opportunity to experience the thrill of surfing, bodyboarding and kayaking, by empowering communities with the training, resources and back-end services needed to provide safe, life-changing days at the beach for kids special needs. Visit www.bestdayfoundation.org to learn more about the organization.