While the experienced surfers headed out to the big breaks to try to catch the perfect wave, last weekend, young kids ages 6-14 had a chance to surf, some for their first times.
Thanks to Warm Current, a non-profit organization founded by Ryan Cruse, a Portland resident, kids have an opportunity to learn to surf, all for free. Warm Current provides wet suits, booties, surf board, and a dedicated volunteer instructor per surfer.
The surf was pretty big for the young kids, but they had no fear. Many were pining to get into the surf. But before the fun, Cruse and his staff had them clean up the beach. “Leave it better than you found it.” he said.
After a 15 minute trash round up, the kids convened in a circle, stretched, learned safety commands and drew a pretend board in the sand. They practiced paddling on their bellies, jumping to their feet in along the center line of the board and then balancing. But soft sand is no match for the instability of a surfboard being pushed by waves.
A mass migration of pink and blue shirts entered the waves, one board between the two of them. Many fell immediately into the water but it didn’t take the kids long to figure out their center of gravity and within five minutes kids began surfing to the shore.
At the end of the day, not one kid was frowning. Surf, sand and sun, a perfect combination for a good time.
The organization is funded purely by donations and volunteers who want to do something for the surfing community. Cruse said he founded this because he originally wanted to give back to the communities where he was recreating while he was traveling in Central America.
Westport was the last of 12 camps provided this year by the organization which served 250 kids. They will kick off 2015 with their Shaping the Northwest fundraising event in Portland on Friday, April 10. The event will include locally shaped surfboards from the northwest’s finest shapers, music, a silent auction, raffle, tamales and plenty of beer. Cost is a donation of $10 at the door.
If you would like to check on results of the surf competition, click on http://www.cleanwaterclassic.com
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