Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1182230
146 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 9 plan was to commit suicide after an Operation Surf event," Greenberg recalls. "He changed his mind afterwards. My very proudest moment was at one of those events when I took a blind child on a surfboard and we caught waves togeth- er. Every vet was in tears." Carmel Surf Lessons also provides instruction for tourists and locals, with the goal remaining to stay safe and have fun with no pressure. "Surfing isn't all about adrenaline," Greenberg says. The Wahine Project Welcomes All to the Waves The nonprofit Wahine Project started as a surf camp by Dionne Ybarra, who grew up terrified of the ocean. "I'm from East Salinas, and I didn't know surf culture growing up," Ybarra explains. "It's not something I would do as a girl, and especially as a Mexican." After learning to surf as an adult, she wanted to create a community that would keep girls and women from feeling intimidated and unwel- come in the water. "I had a great woman mentor me from Santa Monica, who showed me how to do a large- scale surf academy," Ybarra says. "The response was immediate, where kids went from crying to elation. It was exactly what I had hoped would happen…We never say no to anyone who is lacking funds. Families who are hurting, traumatized, single moms who need to work, or those in recovery can send their kids here all summer long. We get grants and it always works out." Ybarra's husband Dave Eckstaedt runs a camp for boys just down Del Monte Beach from the girls, under the nonprofit umbrella of Explore Corps. Their 4-year- old son, Gabriel, often hangs out on the beach with them. "We started with 12-30 kids, and this year we had 800 kids and gave away $30,000 in scholarships," Ybarra says. CSUMB students provide half of the staff through their service-learning program, while sons Kaden, Mitchell and Jeremiah help out as well. "When you can give something and help people grow, you see how meaningful it is," Ybarra says. "The ocean is so healing. It is healing for us as a family and is providing us with a place of commonality. We can do that for other families." For more information on surf lessons, go to carmelsurflessons.com and thewahineproject.org. Located at Del Monte Beach, the Wahine Project has summer camps, homeschool programs, Saturday sessions and a women's program. All skill levels are invited to participate in boogie boarding, body boarding, beach play or surfing. Carmel Surf Lessons' philosophy is that surfing does not have to be scary. Photo: Courtesy of The Wahine Project Photo: Courtesy of Carmel Surf Lessons