Tracie Garacochea, center, 65, of Santa Monica, hugs volunteers after they helped her ride the waves at the “They Will Surf Again” event for people with disabilities. Garacochea is a former wheelchair motocross and skateboarding champion.
Hundreds of volunteers, people of all ages with disabilities, and families came together Saturday in Huntington Beach for a day in the ocean. Part of Life Rolls On’s “Get on Board Tour,” the day was dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. Believing that adaptive surfing, skating and fishing could inspire infinite possibilities, Life Rolls On began as a splash into the unknown on Sept. 11, 2001, and now touches the lives of hundreds of thousands.
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Volunteers cheer Luis Rojas, 37, of Thousand Palms as he rides his first-ever waves at the event.
Melissa Bart embraces Jesse Billauer, founder of Life Rolls On and three-time world champion quadriplegic surfer, as he cheers on adaptive surfers at the event.
Volunteers help Judah Bellomo, 6, of Lakewood, who has spina bifida, as he rides a wave.
Mauricio Aguilar of San Diego celebrates riding a good wave with a volunteer. A volunteer holds Gordon Beaty, 4, of San Pedro, who is autistic, as he points the direction to the beach and surfs a wave for the first time. Tracie Garacochea, who also teaches kids, celebrates a good ride.
Patrick Tucker of Fresno comforts his son, Corban Tucker, 9, who has cri du chat syndrome, as they wait to ride a wave with help from volunteers.