Life-Changing Surf: 13th Wheel to Surf Returns to Folly Beach

A Day of Inclusion and Joy at Folly Beach

Dozens of participants and volunteers came together at Folly Beach for the 13th annual Wheel to Surf, an event dedicated to making surfing accessible to everyone in the community. The day was filled with excitement, support, and a shared sense of purpose as individuals with disabilities experienced the thrill of riding waves.

Charleston County Parks and Recreation collaborated with several nonprofits to make the adaptive surfing event a reality. Nearly 50 volunteers played a crucial role in helping surfers get in and out of the water, while also offering encouragement throughout the day. Their efforts were essential in creating a welcoming environment for all participants.

Brock Johnson, the founder of the event, has always had a deep connection to surfing. After an accident, getting back on a board became his main goal. “It was life-changing,” he said. “It just made me so happy to be back doing what I love to do.”

Johnson expressed his enthusiasm for seeing participants experience surfing for the first time. “I love watching them,” he said. “It makes me feel really good. I get reminded every year, four times a year, about just how special it is. With people who have never done it before, I really like seeing them get stoked.”

The Adapted Surf Project is the nonprofit foundation that supports Wheel to Surf. According to Johnson, the organization runs clinics, conducts outreach in various areas and countries, and hosts competitions in California and other locations.

Among the participants was Tracy Hudson, a first-time surfer who traveled from Lancaster. “I've never, ever surfed in my life, ever,” she said. “It was exhilarating.” Hudson described the experience as more meaningful than she anticipated. “It's hard to put into emotion what this meant to me and to my family,” she said. “I never thought I'd be able to do this.”

Hudson used a track wheelchair during the event. “I was able to use the Waymaker track wheelchair, and something on my bucket list that was off of it was walking on the beach with my family,” she said. “So, I was able to add that back to my bucket list and check it off.” She also emphasized the sense of independence the experience brought back. “Just the independence,” she said. “Because you lose a lot of your independence once you're in a wheelchair. And I did this by myself. Let go by myself.”

Sarah Harrington, a regular adaptive surfer, said that between the fun and the wonderful volunteers, she couldn’t help but feel happy. Alyssa Sturgell, from Charleston County Parks and Recreation, highlighted the emotional impact of witnessing the event. “It honestly brings a tear to my eye to see them have such an amazing, heart-filled, heartwarming experience,” she said. “There's just no greater joy than seeing a surfer with a smile on their face.”

Sturgell credited partner organizations and volunteers for making Wheel to Surf possible. “We couldn't do this without Ocean Cure, Adaptive Surf Project, and Adaptive Expeditions,” she said. “Their surfers come down here and help out with the event. And we couldn't also do it without all the volunteers that come down here and help guide our surfers from the water back onto shore.”

She also spoke about ongoing efforts to improve beach access across Charleston County. “Charleston County Parks is working actively all the time to try to make our beaches more accessible,” she said, adding that the agency has a relationship with the Waymaker Foundation. Currently, there is a track chair at county parks on Isle of Palms County Park and Folly Beach, with one coming soon to the Beachwalker County Park.

“Those track chairs allow for independent wheelchair use on the beaches,” she said. “We're super excited to be adding Beachwalker County Park to that list.” Additionally, Isle of Palms and Folly Beach have beach mats extending from boardwalks to the sand “to create a more accessible route for our customers that are coming to the beach park.”

Johnson hopes the event helps people realize what is possible. “I just want people to know that there are outlets out there for them,” he said. “You can do anything.”