In early June, dozens of veterans joined volunteers in Huntington Beach, California for a week that participants say changes lives, one wave at a time.
Operation Surf, a program of Amazing Surf Adventures, is a nonprofit that introduces military heroes to surfing.
Army Veteran, Travis Strong, lost both legs during his tour in Baghdad in 2006.
Strong told ABC 7 News, "It's just very freeing. I mean, anything that you can do that makes you feel normal again is really great."
This event provides an environment where participants work to overcome perceived limitations connected to their physical and psychological disabilities.
"We tell them, 'You have to surrender to the elements, you have no control over the ocean, the only thing you can control is your attitude and your actions,'" said Danny Nichols, Operation Surf, Program Director. "To know what the ocean does for me, to be able to pass that gift onto them, there's really no words for it."
SURF SURRENDER: How Surfing Saved the Life of a Green Beret
Operation Surf participants receive food, hotel accommodations, travel assistance, clinical and medical support, and all the resources needed to instill hope and confidence in the water, on the board, and in their daily life.
For information on how you can help or donate to Operation Surf click here
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