This is what it’s all about – getting people out in the water, watching them get up on a board for the first time, and smile from ear-to-ear with excitement.

Last week, the surf community got together in Huntington Beach for a great event called “Surf’s Up for Down Syndrome,” allowing special surfers to get in the water with the help of others to experience the thrill of surfing.

It was such a great vibe out there – you should have seen how pumped these kids were, and how proud their family and friends were. It was a true testament that anything is possible!

I wrote a story for the OC Reg about it, here’s a bit in case you missed it:

Stevie Gerrard came out of the water smiling ear-to-ear, flashing a “Shaka” sign with his thumb and pinky stretched out.

“I did it!” he screamed to his sister, Kathy Spickard, showing on the sand how he balanced on the board. “It was great…I like surfing. It’s not hard, it’s easy.”
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Jeremy Fraser, 11, of Tustin gives a thumbs up after riding his surf board in during the “Surf’s Up for Down Syndrome” at the Huntington Beach Pier. The event is put on by the International Surfing Museum, and Rex and Jennifer Hudler’s Team Up for Down Syndrome.

Gerrard was one of about a dozen special surfers who got lessons on the south side of the pier Friday as part of the “Surf’s Up for Down Syndrome” event, where people came together to share the feeling of stoke.

The event was created by Rex and Jennifer Hudler, who created the non-profit Team Up for Down Syndrome in honor of their son Cade, 15, who was also among the group of surfers.

“I think we need more of this kind of thing going on, just for these special groups,” said Spickard. “I’m so proud of all of them. This is amazing. It just warms your heart. I had no idea it was going to be this fantastic.”

Great job to everyone from the surfing community who came out to help: The International Surfing Museum, Huntington Beach Surf School, PT Townend, David Nuuhiwa, Mike Downey, Jericho Poppler, Lisa Andersen, the Huntington Beach High School Surf Team, Timmy Turner, and many more… It’s so great to see surfers giving back!

I just put in some more fun photos from the event, and don’t miss the really great video that David Forness put together below:

A group of special surfers learned to surf during the "Surf's Up for Down Syndrome" event in Huntington Beach. Click on image for more photos!

Here’s also a really beautiful video taken from the water that day by Laura Thorton – guaranteed to brighten your day!

Follow reporter Laylan Connelly on Twitter @ ocbeaches, or at facebook.com/ocbeaches.

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