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Latin America

From Turf to Surf

Young boy surfing with two observers watching. — Child surfing a wave with nearby instructors during the “Special Olympics Puerto Rico in your Community” Surfing clinics in Pine Grove beach, Isla Verde.

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Special Olympics Puerto Rico changed the usual backdrop of courts and fields for the beach, with the celebration of surfing workshops for athletes and participants with intellectual disabilities.

Young girl standing on a buggy board with an adult assisting her. — Surfing instructor teaches child with intellectual disability about surf board stance and balance.

The project, named “Special Olympics Puerto Rico in your Community”, also included other sports with these workshops for participants of all ages held in the Pine Grove beach in Isla Verde. Over 40 people joined in and took part of these activities.

“Therapy in water has many benefits. If we combine it with some water sports, such as surfing, the results are very positive. It was great to see so many participants dive into the water and really enjoy this sport,” said José Barea, president of Special Olympics Puerto Rico.

Ariana Donato, event coordinator, spoke about her reasons for organizing this event and joining Special Olympics Puerto Rico. “Surfing is therapeutic, and I thought about sharing it with this community. I loved the activity. The children really enjoyed it. It was great!” Ariana also mentioned the support they received from La Punta group, an organization that taught her to surf and offered their surfing teachers for the event.

This activity was part of the Special Olympics Puerto Rico in Your Community project that also includes sports clinics for powerlifting, basketball, volleyball, tennis and other sports.

young athlete practicing on a surfboard in the sand as an adult show him how to surf. — Children with and without intellectual disability practice surf stances and balance during the Surf Clinics by Special Olympics Puerto Rico.

Read more about our Latin America

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