Often, here in the First Coast area, regardless of the time of the year, the ocean has surfers trying to catch that perfect wave. Those surfers train and train to master that skill. But surfing in the Atlantic is not just limited to those individuals, but surfing is for everyone, including those with disabilities. And this group is called Surf Quest.
For the past 12 years, Surf Quest, which is a program offered by the ARC of St. Johns, has provided free adaptive surfing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They come out one Saturday a month between April and October, meeting up at the Mary Street Beach ramp in Crescent Beach. Their mission is to empower people with disabilities through therapeutic water recreation and adaptive equipment, ensuring the ocean is accessible to everyone.
Recently had the pleasure of attending a Surf Quest event at the invitation of Jake Thornton, a local photographer and volunteer drone operator for the group. Despite the threat of storms this past Saturday, May 9, the atmosphere was filled with energy and joy. Speaking with the Program Coordinator, Pete Skoglund, who noted that while we had a great turnout of about 30 participants and volunteers this particular Saturday, the program has seen crowds as large as 300 in the past. Witnessing the smiles and cheers of the surfers as they caught waves was truly inspiring. And it lives up to their goal of bringing out true joy in seeing men, women and children, regardless of disability, always cheering, smiling and asking to go back out for more.
As the season continues through October, Surf Quest is always looking for more participants and volunteers. For more information on how to get involved and the schedule, please visit their website https://www.arcsj.org/services/surfquest/ or find them on Facebook at Surf Quest – the Arc of the St. Johns
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Tobias D. Wilson, with the artist’s name of Endofthehwy media, was inspired by the literally the end of the Maine state highway 24. This was one of my favorite spots to visit while stationed at now now-closed Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine, between 2004 to 2007.
I have been married now to a wonderful lady for 18 years and together we have one child, a nine-year-old daughter. We settled in St. Johns County after I retired from the US Navy after 20 years. My specialty in the military was administration and logistics. I am currently a stay-at-home dad and a volunteer at my local church.
In 2013, during outpatient treatment at Walter Reed Medical Center for deployment-related health issues, I was encouraged to find a hobby that I loved. I choose photography to see life through the lens.
I had the great opportunity to volunteer for two years as a still photographer for Honor Flights of Columbus, an organization dedicated to getting veterans to the memorials in Washington DC. My photos contributed to the flight mission video published on the organization’s website and YouTube channel. As a photographer, there was such joy to see the veterans return home to a hero’s welcome and be able to capture it.
