More than two dozen wounded veterans, surf instructors and volunteers participate in Operation Surf, a weeklong surf program in Huntington Beach. The program says it provides veterans with hopefulness, a re-discovering of abilities and self determination.
For many of the veterans, this is the first time they are taking on strenuous physical activity. The veterans arrived Sunday and were accompanied by a motorcade to Huntington Beach. Opening ceremonies were held Monday. The surfing program continues through Friday.
Wounded veterans join surf instructors and volunteers in the “Mayan handshake”, an exercise on sharing space, before heading to the water.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Leo Taramillo helps stretch U.S. Army veteran Derrick Ross, lying on his back at center.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A serviceman uses a prosthetic leg during a warm-up exercises.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Marine Sgt. David Mahula, left, whose leg was amputated, gets a hand from volunteer Max Seirson while surfing.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Veteran Will McCarthy, front, and Stephen Peterson, U.S. Army specialist, cheer as they ride a wave together.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Martin Pollock surfs with help from a device he created to paddle. The former British Army rifleman lost his legs and part of his left arm to an explosion in Afghanistan in 2010.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
U.S. Army veteran Marcus Cole, center, catches a wave while flanked by a surf instructor and a safety volunteer.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Air Force veteran Michael Muller, left, and Ramesh Hatasingh share a moment while others paddle out.
