[73bonneville]

As some of you may have noticed, I'm involved quite a bit with a group called AMPsurf, an organization that teaches disabled folks to surf. We're based on the central coast of Calif. and I know a lot of you aren't in the area, but if you happen to know someone with any sort of disability that's expressed an interest in learning how to surf, or if you think you might be able to talk them into it in order to maintain a more 'normal' lifestyle, we're the place to come! We've worked with single/double/triple amputees; Traumatic Brain Injuries; para/quadra/teraplegics; the blind; autistic folks, and have instructors with many years of experience both surfing and handling/teaching these people how to have fun in the water. The ocean's quite a healing place to go too, so it's not just about catching waves, there's spiritual side to it too. During Operation Restoration, we can try to get transportation for those who can't afford it, but can't promise to bring EVERYONE one out who wants to come. We also put 'em up in local hotels and we're donated meals by many of the local eateries, so the food's taken care of too. We furnish surf/body and knee boards, and wetsuits/booties/hoods. We've worked with many combat-wounded veterans and also non-veteran disabled people, and quite a few keep coming back and getting better and better and having more fun each time!

I pm'ed with Saren and he's given me the OK to put some stuff on here about the organization, so I've included the 2010 schedule of clinics we're gonna do up and down the coast. We can also use volunteers at any of the events if anyone's interested and/or has the time to do so. We're 100% non-profit and are funded ONLY through donations. None of us is a paid employee, we just dig what we're doing. You will too, should you come out to volunteer, or bring a disabled friend/family member out for some surfing!

Here's our 2010 schedule of one-day clinics and also the 5th Operation Restoration:
Below is the 2010 schedule of events:

2010 Learn to Surf Series &
Event Dates Sign-Up Online
Participants please sign-up at least one month in advance of an event.*

An inspiring group of surfers has been contributing to make a difference on the Central Coast, and now they intend to help others up and down the coast of California. Their determination to educate the public regarding disabled athletes led to the formation of the Association of Amputee Surfers
AMPSURF (www.ampsurf.com) will be putting together six learn to surf clinics this year up and down the coast of California. The dates for these clinics are as follows:

Dates & Locations:

January 9th Pismo Beach

February 13th Pismo Beach

March 13th Santa Cruz

April 10th Pismo Beach

May 8th San Clemente

June 12th Pismo Beach

July 10th Pismo Beach

August 14th Ventura

September 10th-16th Pismo Beach -Operation Restoration V - Opening Ceremonies on 9/11

October 9th Pismo Beach

November 13th Pismo Beach

December 11th 2010 Learn to Surf Series &
Event Dates Sign-Up Online
Participants please sign-up at least one month in advance of an event.*

Thanks for your time Halvsies, please help out keeping us doing these good deeds!! You can go to the website to donate or sign up for volunteering or if someone you know might want to hit the waves at: http://ampsurf.org/

Thanks so much too, to Saren, for allowing me the space!! Lou Jones, AMPsurf volunteer

[yamapikko]

What a great organization! And it's so good of you to be such a dedicated volunteer 73B. Hmmm...I think I know your itinerary now.

[73bonneville]

Thanks Pik, and it is a great thing....tell all your friends...hell, tell people you DON'T like too! Gotta get the word out!

[73bonneville]

An addition to my AMPsurf blither...we're trying to set stuff up out on the east coast and are in the process of finding suitable people to volunteer out that way to help get that going. If anyone of you are interested or know anyone who might be, go to the http://ampsurf.org/ website and send us an email. We're also looking into sponsors out that way too. Thanks again!!