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Heart of Surfing Rides Wave of Good Feelings to 2nd Annual Competition, June 11

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Ocean City has a big heart and perhaps nowhere is that more evident than at the Heart of Surfing’s annual surf contest.

The event, beginning 9 a.m. on Saturday June 11, includes a division for special needs surfers. Following the all-day event, an after party with raffles and prizes will take place at Gregory’s on Shore Rd. in Somers Point.

Heart of Surfing co-founders Bob and Cindy Fertsch knew the positive impact surfing had on their autistic son, Jamie, now 22. And they felt others could benefit from their experiences. The result was their organization, which also teaches skateboarding to children with special needs.

“Bob always took our son out with him when he would surf and it gave (Jamie) improved confidence and self-esteem,” Cindy said. “There is a contest in Belmar that includes special needs surfers and it fills up quickly. We thought, ‘why can’t we do something like this?’ ”

Why not, indeed.

The contest begins with 8 a.m. registration. Entry fee is $30 with all proceeds going to the non-profit Art of Surfing. Divisions will be contested in open long board, open short board, women and groms (12 and under).  The event didn’t just happen.

“I knew that if I reached out to our surfing community they would be there for us,” said Cindy. “It is a great community of great people. But I didn’t know how great they would prove to be.  They were just incredible. It is nice to get recognition, but the event is really made by the volunteers, businesses and the community.”

Tim Kernan assists 6-year-old Landon Peddicord
Volunteer Tim Kernan assists 6-year-old Landon Peddicord in catching a wave at last year’s Heart of Surfing Contest. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, June 11

Last year’s event raised more than $1,000 to benefit the Heart of Surfing. It included a full competition for area surfers in all divisions, age groups and genders. But unlike conventional contests, it also included a division which attracted more than 15 individuals with special needs.  Volunteers and contest competitors aided the special participants.  They assisted in helping them stand on the boards, catch waves, and sometimes rode tandem with them.

The three major surf shops in town, Heritage, 7th St. Surf Shop and Surfers Supplies also play a major role, donating the use of surfboards, wetsuits and other needed equipment, organizers said.

“We need a lot of stuff,” Cindy said. Boards and other equipment. All we have to do is ask and (the surf shops) are there for us.”

 

This year, Cindy Fertsch said she expects as many as 25 special needs surfers and more than 40 volunteers. Organizers also hope to raise the bar and top last year’s fundraising total as well.

The contest is run by a local Ocean City-based surfing club, No Passports Needed, or NPN, which also provided some of the volunteers. NPN member Willie Fannon worked the microphone for the contest as emcee, and helped organize it.

“This event is a true testament to the surfing community and how it helps others,” he said. “It’s nice to give back.  But it’s also nice to see what surfing can do to help people.  Before I took part in this contest, I was oblivious to autism and how many families and people are affected by it. Now I see autism from another perspective. Surfing is a sport that changes a person when they get out in the water.  That’s one of the great things about this contest.”

Fannon said that he hoped to help raise awareness of autism, the Heart of Surfing and to pass the word along to others inside and out of the surfing community.

For more information, check out the Heart of Surfing Facebook page.

Smiles were on the facesSmiles were on the faces of the volunteers and the participants at the Art of Surfing contest.