Out in the surf, you can't tell a disabled wave ski surfer from an able bodied one. Most leg and lower spinal injuries are no detriment to wave ski surfing. There are paraplegics and amputees who are absolutely ripping waves apart on a wave ski. This is a fast, exciting, and challenging sport where a disabled person could be world champion against able bodied competitors. I have incorporated several innovations into the Infinity V-Bottom model to adapt it to different persons needs. Often a back rest (support), knee riser or foot "keeper" is utilized to help with balance and control.

As with any new person, we usually invite a disabled athlete out for a session on a tandem. There are several expert guys with tandems at San Onofre who are grate teachers. On the tandem, you can learn about catching waves and the skills it takes to balance and ride a wave ski. With a life vest and rides in the smaller waves, this is a pretty safe, fun experience.

Often on the same day or a later day, you're ready to wave ski surf on your own. Sure, there are special difficulties like pulling yourself up out of the water and back onto the ski into a sitting position. You have to lift your legs back into position while keeping your balance each time a wave passes by. But I've seen guys and girls do it and surf the very first day they try. It's neat because you can go at your own pace. You can paddle around in the "no surf zone" to get your balance and then venture slowly in small waves before going out into bigger waves.

It would seem that getting across the sand and into / out of the water with your wave ski would be a problem, but Freddie Carvallo has found that surfers and wave skiers are quick to lend a hand. Every surfer at "Dog Patch" the wave ski surfing area at San Onofre is familiar with Freddie, he has a whole army of people who are ready to carry his (or your) ski into and out of the water and bring his wheel chair down to him when he comes in from surfing. He has been an inspiration and shown the way to many disabled athletes who have come down to learn wave ski surfing.

I don't have time to just take people for rides, but if you are seriously thinking about getting a wave ski, I invite anyone with a lower body disability to e-mail (see contact Infinity) or call me, Steve Boehne 949 661-6699 if you are in Southern California.  I've got a wave ski that you can try. I will personally help you get across the beach, into the water and teach you to ride waves. San Onofre has soft, easy waves and no shore pound to deal with. If you find a love for surfing and want to get into wave skiing, I offer a substantial discount to disabled athletes. If you are not near the ocean, I would definitely get into kayak paddling on inland waters. White water kayaking is just as fun as surfing.  

Freddie Surfing

Freddie top turn

Rich Julien was a surfer in his teen years, but was forced to stop when he was paralyzed in an auto accident.  Many years later he learned about wave ski surfing and now he is surfing again on the East and South shores of Hawaii.  Rich is one of the founders of Access Surf Hawaii.  www.accessurfhawaii.org/  This organization is dedicated to enabling athletes with disabilities to surf and enjoy the waves of Hawaii.  They have surfboards, tandem surfboards and wave skis adapted to allow those with disabilities to surf.  Plus they have a dedicated staff who love to share the joys of surfing.  How would you like a surfing vacation in hawaii?  Check out their schedule of events and go join in.

Rich Julien

Rich Julien