Surfers Healing 2008

This weekend was a double day for photography. I started at the Strider Mile at Tallwood HS at 7 and was there till about 10ish. Then it was off the Surfers Healing at the beach.

Surfers Healing is a program where surfers take autistic kids out on longboards for around 15-30 min at a time and surf with them. The older kids usually stand by themselves, the midsize/age kids get help and the little ones get lofted onto the surfers shoulders.

(Taken blatently from the site) Surfers Healing was founded by Israel and Danielle Paskowitz. Their son, Isaiah, was diagnosed with autism at age three. Like many autistic children, he often suffered from sensory overload-- simple sensations could overwhelm him. The ocean was the one place where he seemed to find respite.

A former competitive surfer, Israel hit upon an idea--with Isaiah on the front of his surfboard, and Izzy steering from the back, the two spent the day surfing together. Surfing had a profound impact on Isaiah. Israel and Danielle decided they wanted to share this unique therapy with other autistic children. They began to host day camps at the beach where autistic children and their families could be exposed to a completely new experience of surfing.

It was a beautiful day, sunny, some clouds, bit of a breeze and good waves. Yes I got a hair sunburned. This is one of those events where it makes all the problems of the previous week/days just dissapear. You can't help but keep a smile all day (even when your spare body decides its going on vacation for the day).

Anyways, check out the site and the pics. I'm Camera C btw.

Mother Firetrucking YMCA

I have a love/hate relationship with the Y. Its only a 1/2 mile walk from my house, has an indoor and outdoor pool and a separate adult fitness center (no pool)

However, the Y is a money pit and they don't really give a damn about single people. I went for my swim yesterday, 2600 yards. Took me an hour. Why?

I picked a lane in the indoor pool, started my workout no problem and about 1/4 a way through this high school kid kicks me out of ALL 3 LANES for swim lessons. The Y always does group lessons. These lessons weren't on the schedule. No problem, I'll go outside. Well, I'm 1/2 way through my main set and I have to move a lane over for an unscheduled swim team practice. They usually practice in the AM. I move over, then get kicked out of that lane right when I get it to myself because more swim team members show up. Now I'm in the pissy lane. You know, the one where its against the wall and where the entrance steps and ladders are.

Here's what gets me. The lessons and practice were unscheduled and used all the lanes. I believe a facility like the Y when it says OPEN and LAP SWIM should always have a lane open for lap swimming IN BOTH POOLS.

Of course they'll never listen to me because I don't have a family and thus more money going to them.

B2B Training, le bike

Ok, correction. I have 5 readers, not 2 or 3.

I hate being forced to go slow. Coach Joel made me stay in Z2 for 3/4 of the ride yesterday with 2 intervals in Z3. I race in Z3/Z4. This was followed by a 20 min Z2run, on which my calves proceeded to protest immediatly and took 10 min to quiet down. They werent crampy, just sore/painful/annoying.

Bike:
Total Distance: 26 miles
Z1: 15 min
Z2: 57 min
Z3: 32 min

Avg speed: 14.85 mph
Avg cadence: 87 rpm
Max speed: 22.3
Max cadence: 106

East Coast Wakefest 2008

Ya ya ya I havent posted in awhile. I figured I only have like 3 readers anyways. Here some shots I took at the East Coast Wakefest that was held at the park I usually run at. Enjoy.

Nope, Never Done This

Nope, I've never done this. Nuh uh, not me. Be sure to check out http://www.yehudamoon.com though.