8-mile run benefits wounded heroes

Inaugural run benefits Operation Surf Central Coast

Do they ever quit? It sometimes seems as though the folks at Amazing Surf Adventures are always on the go, and what they are up to this fall is no exception.

After hosting Operation Surf Central Coast 2013 the week of Oct. 3-9, the Amazing Surf Adventures team has no intention of slowing down as they gear up for their inaugural Operation Run, an 8-mile fun run on Veteran’s Day, Monday, Nov. 11 in support of all military members, past and present.

“Operation Run is a fundraiser benefit for Operation Surf and a way for us to bring more awareness to Veteran’s Day,” said Amazing Surf Adventure’s Vice President and Secretary Amanda Kline. “It’s also a way to get the community involved with what we do to support our military and veterans.”

For those who have never heard of Operation Surf, here’s a quick rundown: Operation Surf is a recreational and rehabilitative surfing clinic for wounded, active duty service personnel. Amazing Surf Adventures partners with Operation Comfort to bring wounded military personnel who are in recovery at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, to participate in the event. The clinic has helped our nation’s wounded warriors overcome challenges and develop new and positive perspectives towards discovering their abilities. 

Although Operation Surf is recognized as a rehabilitative program by the United States government, it receives no federal funding. It is a community-supported event that gives our local residents and businesses a unique opportunity to directly show their appreciation for some of America’s true heroes.

Signing up to participate in Operation Run is just another opportunity to lend support for this amazing adaptive surf program that allows soldiers to experience the thrill of surfing in a safe, constructive land and ocean environment with professional and champion surf instructors. Proceeds from the run will directly benefit Operation Surf and allow the program staff to aid our nations’ Wounded Heroes obtain the skills, healing and power that surfing and the ocean can provide while also experiencing camaraderie and surfing alongside legendary surfers.

Want to help? Put on those running shoes, grab a friend or two and head over to San Luis Obispo on Veteran’s Day. Most people have the day off, so no excuses! Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. at Performance Athletics, 4484 Broad St. in San Luis Obispo. Register before the race for $40 at active.com; on-site registration on race day is $50. The race begins at 8 a.m. with the course closing at noon. Start and finish is at Performance Athletics and runners will take in back road scenery, including vineyards and mild hills, of Hwy 227, Biddle Ranch and Orcutt roads. 

There will be no road closures and runners will be running against traffic; all rules of the road apply at all times and runners must stay inside all road lines. There will be water stops at the 2, 4, and 6-mile markers. Runners will be provided with refreshments, goodie bag, medal and a tech shirt at finish line. 

More about Operation Surf

Mission Statement: Honoring active duty military heroes through an epic life-changing surfing experience that builds confidence and healing to move forward in a positive direction. Operation Surf is a program of Amazing Surf Adventures and a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. 

The program begins with comprehensive instruction on land including ocean safety and awareness, equipment use, and adaptive techniques that cater to the disabilities of each individual. This process creates a surfing experience that is based upon proven teaching methods created by legendary watermen Van Curaza and Richard Schmidt. This allows our nations’ Wounded Heroes to obtain all the skills, healing and power that surfing and the ocean can provide while experiencing camaraderie and surfing alongside legendary surfers.

For many participants, the trip to Operation Surf is their first time leaving the hospital since being injured in Iraq or Afghanistan, making this unique and highly effective healing tool an invaluable part of their early recovery. The heroes are brought to California by Operation Comfort and Help For Heroes out of Downton, England. Both organizations have a mission to help active duty military and veterans who have been wounded or injured, or have become sick, as a result of serving their nation.

The folks at Amazing Surf Adventures and Operation Surf are actively seeking volunteers for all positions and they welcome any sponsorship and/or donations that will benefit their cause. Visit operationsurf.com for more information.

Meagan Friberg - Central Coast Active Magazine

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