SANTA CRUZ -- Will Hanvey and Martin Pollock paid their way from England to surf with fellow wounded veterans this week in Santa Cruz.
The British Army officers had participated in a similar event at Avila Beach in October. While their first trip to California was free, the two opted to pay for their second trip here in Santa Cruz.
"Even when things aren't great, it lifts you back up and puts you on the path you want to be on," said Hanvey, from Worcestershire, England.
Hanvey and Pollock, both injured veterans, surfed with eight other wounded soldiers Tuesday at the Main Beach in Santa Cruz. Part of a week-long trip hosted by Operation Surf, the multiple surf excursions aim to help the active duty military heroes heal in the water, despite a chilly 49 degrees.
The eight veterans participating for their first time, came from Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Their trip expenses are funded by Operation Comfort, based in San Antonio, Texas.
Operation Surf is part of San Luis Obispo-based Amazing Surf Adventures, headed by surfer Van Curaza of Pismo Beach. The group developed an adaptive surfing program and began helping injured veterans learn to surf in 2006, said vice president Amanda Kline.
The organization decided to host the event in Santa Cruz because of the community's strong ties to surfing, Kline said. Local surfers including Brent Edwards, Richard Schmidt and Vince Broglio are lending a hand this week.
"Santa Cruz has been amazing," said Carolyn O'Connell, a staff member of Operation Surf. "Everyone's just opened their arms and hearts."
This week's events kicked off with a hearty hello.
"We had a very large welcome Sunday with a big, long motorcade," Kline said. "It was really cool."
In addition to scoping out Santa Cruz, each veteran is paired with a personal surf instructor.
"The individual surf instructor is committed to that student for the whole week -- they even go to meals together," O'Connell said. "After one day, they're just crazy about (surfing). They love it."
Kelly Roberts, an instructor who has worked with the organization since 2003, said she's constantly struck by everyone's courage out on the water. Despite multiple veterans being amputees, the participants did handstands and other tricks out on the water Tuesday morning.
"Even though these guys are injured doesn't mean they're not capable," Roberts said. "These guys have been through so much. They're dead inside, but when they come out here, they just light up."
And Operation Surf has impacted Hanvey's life in other ways as well. He's staying in San Luis Obispo for seven weeks, where he's interning with one of the photographers he met through the organization. After the internship is over, he hopes to get a visa and move to California.
"That's the kind of family this is," Hanvey said.
Follow Sentinel reporter Bonnie Horgos on Twitter at Twitter.com/bhorgos
Operation Surf Farewell Party
What: Operation Surf is welcoming the public to dine with active duty military heroes and hear about the participants' week surfing in Santa Cruz.
Where: Pono Hawaiian Grill, 120 Union St., Santa Cruz
Details: www.operationsurf.com ___
(c)2013 the Santa Cruz Sentinel (Scotts Valley, Calif.)
Visit the Santa Cruz Sentinel (Scotts Valley, Calif.) at www.santacruzsentinel.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
