SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — Just about everyone would like to “hang 10,” at least once in their lives.
Later this month, children five and up will get a chance to learn how at a free surfing clinic on International Surfing Day.
The Surfrider Foundation South Texas Chapter announced that International Surfing Day is Monday, June 20 this year.
“Our whole point is to expose kids to surfing and how awesome surfing can be when you’re out there in the water,” said Rob Nixon, executive director for Surfrider Foundation South Texas Chapter.
The event was founded 12 years ago by the Surfrider Foundation and Surfing Magazine.
It unites surfers from around the world in celebration of the sport of surfing and the oceans, waves and beaches.
“It will be a really good time,” Nixon said. “Most kids have never surfed before.”
This year marks the 10th annual children’s surf clinic.
“We will be holding our Children’s Surf Clinic in memory of Avery McKenna,” Nixon said. “This year’s event has special meaning for us and the surfing clinic.”
McKenna had been a regular participant at the surf clinic since 2011 when she caught her first wave at the age of five.
“She was hooked from that point on,” Nixon said. “Unfortunately, we lost Avery last year to an unfortunate accident and have decided to memorialize her with this event.”
Nixon said On the Beach Surfsports and Island Native have donated two soft-top surfboards that will be raffled off at the event.
All of the funds raised will go into a fund for a Surfrider Foundation In Memory of Avery Scholarship to keep her in everyone’s thoughts.
Tickets will be $20 and available soon.
Nixon said everything has happened, from playing with crabs, inkfish, and sargassum in the water to having dolphins swim through the lineup during the clinic.
“The children and parents will become very aware that surfing places you out in the beauty and awe that is the ocean,” Nixon said.
