My Nonprofit Reviews

Our 14 year old daughter has Down Syndrome. A few years ago my wife heard of A Walk on Water and decided that letting our little girl go out into the ocean waves with total strangers would be a good idea.

At first, I thought she was nuts, but after attending our first AWOW event, I was completely won over. The staff of surfing instructors, administrative people and the in-the-water volunteers are the most professional, kindest and most patient group of people I have ever met.

Fortunately for us, our daughter took to it immediately, and it was hard to get her out of the water. She usually runs through 2-3 instructors per session, and proclaims she "was born to surf".

For the children who are afraid, or reluctant to engage, or have difficulty interacting, I have seen staff members quietly and patiently work to draw them out, develop trust and eventually get them on a surfboard. Sometimes the trust building takes over an hour, but the instructors always get the kid in the water for their first surfing experience. Invariably, as the board returns to the beach with a smiling child beaming with the pride of accomplishment, the beach erupts in applause and the child runs up the sand through a gauntlet of high-fives.

We have attended AWOW events on both the West and East coasts and our daughter loves to see the same friendly and loving faces.

Without a doubt, A Walk on Water is a unique organization of knowledgeable professionals that accomplishes great things by doing the small things with respect and genuine love. They surf the waves and open new powers in all who ride along with them.

Art McHugh