Sea of Change, autism have a day in the waves

Link to original Asbury Park Press article (with 2 photos) at app.com:

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008808220420

SEASIDE PARK — For the children who participated in the Sea of Change surf day, being different was only a matter of what color surfboard they rode.

Sea of Change and Parents of Autistic Children held their second surf day at the Brighton Avenue beach in Seaside Park on Tuesday afternoon. About 300 people attended the free family event, said Mark Colino, event coordinator and owner of No Flat Earth, a surf shop in Brick.

Sea of Change was started last year, he said. There are about 50 members consisting of lifeguards, surf shop employees, surfers and instructors.

"We're the largest provider of autistic training and education in the state," said Gary Weitzen, executive director of POAC.

The event offered autistic children the opportunity to experience instructional surf lessons in a judgment-free environment. POAC event coordinators provided submarine sandwiches and refreshments for families. Participants also received a blue event T-shirt and other souvenirs.
Connor Thigpen, 6, of Brick was one of the children at the event. He has Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, explained Eileen Thigpen, a mother of two autistic boys.
Asperger's syndrome is commonly associated with social problems, vulnerability to sensory overload, awkward posture and a tendency to take many figures of speech literally, according to the Autism and Asperger's Syndrome Web site.

Connor has been on a surfboard two other times, Thigpen said.

"He was petrified at first, and he was scared to go out on the board," his mother said. "But once he got out there, he loved it."

Nestor Wagner of Christian Surfers in Manasquan and Jennifer Steffener and Lance Tompkins, owners of Coastline Adventures Surfing School in Normandy Beach, were among the surf instructors at the event.

Cutting Edge youth group ministry brought about 25 junior and high-school student volunteers. Cutting Edge is a part of the Church of Grace and Peace in Toms River.

In June, they paired up with Sea of Change to learn how to instruct autistic children.
Family members sat on beach chairs or stood at the water's edge and cheered. Most of the children appeared delighted at the event.

Chris Reinhard, 14, lives for the water, said his mother, Nancy Reinhard of Brick.
Every time he comes to the beach, he wants to body-board. If he can't body-board, then the family must go home, she said.

Reinhard said she has no fear of her son being discriminated against.

"They run across your beach towel and don't get yelled at," she said. "Here, people understand, and everyone is in the same boat. Autistic behaviors are not surprising to anyone here."

Waterspouts near Tices Shoal

Wild weather on Monday resulted in some waterspouts near Tices Shoal behind Island Beach State Park. Check the picture and video on this site.

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080812/UPDATES01/80812002

Sak gets Interview by Jon Coen

Click Here http://www.eastcoastsurfer.com/sak/sandpiperarticle2008/

To check out the Exclusive Interview of East Coast Surfer's own Greg "sak" Sakowicz by Jon Coen. Great Article.

Brent
www.eastcoastsurfer.com