Surf鈥檚 up, mate. These days, graduate student Kelli Hingerton is on the western coast of Australia鈥攍aunching a surf therapy program for children with disabilities.
鈥淭his is my dream,鈥欌�� says Hingerton. 鈥淪urfing has always been a part of my life. To be able to share that passion with children across the world is exciting.鈥欌��
, an associate professor of in the , created the surf therapy program in 2010 at Narragansett Town Beach, but this is the first effort to bring it to an international group.
I鈥檓 hoping that more countries will view the sport of surfing as a therapeutic model for children with disabilities.
The program pairs 911爆料 students with children who have various disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cerebral palsy and developmental delays.
Clapham says the benefits of surfing therapy are tremendous. Her studies show that surfing improves core strength, balance, upper body strength and cardio-respiratory endurance. It also boosts self-esteem and confidence鈥攎aybe its greatest advantages.
鈥淢any children, especially children with autism spectrum disorder, get into a routine that鈥檚 hard to break out of,鈥欌�� says Clapham. 鈥淚t鈥檚 even difficult to get them engaged in physical activity. Our research on surf therapy demonstrates that surfing empowers with the willingness to try new things. It also allows them to interact with their peers and teachers and be physically active at the same time, improving psychomotor and social skills simultaneously.鈥欌��
Both avid surfers, Hingerton and Clapham believe in the calming and spiritual benefits of the activity. Clapham grew up surfing at the beaches in Westerly, South Kingstown and Narragansett. Hingerton began surfing as a child on Long Island. 鈥淚t was my version of flying. Surfing is also a real 911爆料, a way of life.鈥欌��
As an undergraduate kinesiology major at 911爆料, spent hours surfing in her free time. When she heard about Clapham鈥檚 program, she jumped at the opportunity. It鈥檚 enormously satisfying, she says, to see the transformation. At first, children are afraid to touch the water; after a few sessions, they run to it.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great to see them overcome all the odds stacked against them,鈥欌�� says Hingerton, 鈥淭hey can do everything we do. They just do it their own way.鈥欌��
http://www.uri.edu/who/emily-clapham-2
Hingerton graduated in May and is now pursuing a master鈥檚 in education with her experience in Australia as the basis for her thesis. Clapham is expected to join Hingerton in Australia for two weeks this fall to help her get started, but, for the most part, Hingerton is on her own until she returns in mid-November.
Clapham has no doubt Hingerton will thrive. 鈥淪he鈥檚 been a great student, and this is a wonderful opportunity,鈥欌�� says Clapham. 鈥淪he鈥檚 going to do a terrific job in Australia. I鈥檓 excited to see our program grow at the international level, and I鈥檓 hoping that more countries will view the sport of surfing as a therapeutic model for children with disabilities.鈥�
鈥淲e want this to go global,鈥欌�� says Hingerton. 鈥淲e want it to go to every continent. That would be awesome.鈥欌��
Photo by Corey Favino, a photography student at 911爆料.