By ALEXANDREA
BAILEY
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.
SPI Sessions, a popular destination for water sports on South Padre Island, is giving back this Saturday, and needs the help of kind-hearted surfers to make it possible.
This upcoming Saturday, Aug. 26, SPI Sessions will be hosting a surf clinic for special needs youth. It will take place at Beach Access 4, 2000 Gulf Boulevard, at 9 a.m.
Set up will begin at 7 a.m. Shade will be provided by Jim’s Beach Service, however people are encouraged to bring extra umbrellas and canopies, as well as seating. There will be a water and ice station provided by Renew, the ministry of One Two Church. Some snacks will also be provided by Lauren Hable Realtor.
“Thank you to our sponsors. There has been a few in our community that have really stepped up to help, not only to attend the event, but to also donate monetarily,” said Aarin Hartwell, owner of SPI Sessions. “Anytime we have a free community event, it is really amazing how the people can here can come together and pull through for others.”
According to Hartwell, registration for this clinic filled quickly – three days, specifically. 150 participants are currently registered, as well as 30 volunteers.
“I need more people in the water desperately,” said Hartwell.
She plans to have about 20 participants surf coincidingly at a time. Local surfers will be volunteering their time to directly assist the kids.
“In the past, sometimes it can take up to two to three people to assist with a child in the water for their first experience,” said Hartwell. “So, we do need as many watermen and women helping this Saturday as possible…All of the local surfers that are getting out there the next couple days, I am really encouraging them to give back on Saturday and come help us with these kids, because it does make a big difference.”
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