Catch a wave and you’re sitting on top of the world.
Amateur surfer and father Dennis Nerpio knows the feeling well, which is why he wants to share that sense of exhilaration with kids who might not otherwise get the chance.
Nerpio is the founder of Surf’s Up for Autism, a Vancouver-based non-profit that organizes an annual surf camp for autistic kids and their families. Thanks to support from sponsors like Rip Curl Canada, Long Beach Surf Shop, and Long Beach Lodge, Surf’s Up for Autism will be holding their third annual camp on Sept. 13 and 14 in Tofino.
The weekend is an opportunity for kids with autism to have some fun and not feel judged, and for their parents to connect and network.
“What we’re doing isn’t therapy,” says Nerpio. “It’s a day of fun and chance to bring everyone together.”
As Nerpio knows, life with an autistic child has its challenges. His own son* was diagnosed with autism at four years old.
“There was just something different about him,” he says. “We couldn’t control his behaviour, so we blamed ourselves. We took all the parenting classes, but it didn’t make much of a difference.”
Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication. Autistic children often display compulsive, sometime aggressive behaviour and can be prone to self-injury.
Once Nerpio’s son was diagnosed, the family struggled to make sense of what autism was, and get a handle on his behavioral issues.
“He can be good all day, but then something will set him off and that will trigger a three-hour meltdown,” he says.
Not long after his son’s diagnosis, Nerpio decided to take the family to Tofino for a break. There his son got a chance to hit the waves for the first time, and a light bulb went off for Nerpio.
“We rented a board and a suit for him, and he was up surfing within an hour,” he says. “It was amazing! Everyone was cheering, and he had the biggest smile on his face. We couldn’t get him out of the water at the end of the day.”
Nerpio thought every kid with autism should get to experience that feeling.
“Lots of kids with autism don’t do well with team sports,” he says. “But surfing is something they can focus on and [excel at].”
With help from friends at the Canadian Surfing Association, Nerpio was able to set up a sponsorship with Rip Curl Canada and in 2012 hosted the first surf camp.
Twelve families came out the first year, this year he is expecting 42 from across BC and Alberta.
Ages range from three to 18, from non-verbal kids to high-functioning ones. Siblings are also invited to take part.
“This is really a family event,” says Nerpio.
Surf’s Up provides surf instructors and behavioural therapists to work one-on-one with kids.
“It gives everyone some time off,” explains Nerpio. “You can have a meltdown, and no one is going to judge you.
“It’s a great supportive environment.”
*Nerpio requested the identity of his family remain anonymous.
