Wounded Warriors participate in adaptive surf session

by Staff Sgt. Alexander Martinez
15th Wing Public Affairs

1/15/2014 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- For their last full day in Hawaii, several participants and volunteers of the 2014 Wounded Warrior Pacific Invitational participated in an adaptive surf session at Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii, Jan. 11.

Under the instruction and supervision of trained surf professionals, the participants received training on how surf, specific to their comfort level, and hit the waves.

Tony Jasso, program manager for the Air Force Adaptive Sports Program, said he was impressed at how well the participants did during the surf activities.

"I think today has given the Warriors another sport that can have a healing effect on their lives," Jasso said. "There's something about the ocean that helps bring an inner peace they might not be able to get in the gym or on the track."

Retired Army Sgt. Kari Miller, a WWPI participant, said surfing was challenging and forced her out of her comfort zone.

"Surfing gave me a sense of excitement and another challenge to take on," Miller, a double amputee athlete, said. "Getting out there and confronting the big waves and animals in the water - it's a way for us to get over our fears. Instead of thinking about all the things that could go wrong, I just focused on having fun and catching a wave or two. It was a great time."

The surfing day wrapped up a week of adaptive athletic events including cycling, seated volleyball, swimming, track and field and wheelchair basketball.

Jasso said he feels confident the athletes grew mentally, physically and emotionally over the past week.

"This week the athletes learned more about teamwork, selflessness, and service to their fellow teammates," he said. "It's been a time where there has been a lot of growing, healing, and raising the bar in regards to what these athletes want in their recovery. It's been an important week helping them forget about what they can't do because, instead, they're learning what they can."