Here at Shore lb., we’ve always had a natural draw to the water. Whether it’s fresh or salt water, we’ve ridden different currents and waves, fueled by a shared passion for water safety rooted in our backgrounds in Ocean Rescue and Swift Water Rescue.
Years before Shore lb. was even an idea, we started a surf, skim, and paddle school called Epic Sessions. Our goal was to teach water safety alongside the fun of riding waves. As our reputation grew, the Special Olympics reached out to us. They were developing two new sports: surfing and stand-up paddling. As we were creating Shore lb., the Florida director invited us to coach and help write the rules and safety regulations for these sports worldwide. With a team comprising competitive surfers, skimmers, paddleboarders, Ocean Rescue, Fire Rescue, nurses, EMTs, and legends, we accumulated over 100 years of ocean and water knowledge.
For eight years, we coached Indian River and St. Lucie County athletes in surfing and stand-up paddling. Toward the end of the eighth season, my mother fell ill and passed away. As the group leader, I stepped down to take care of my family. Despite this setback, our passion for teaching and water safety never waned. We dreamed of starting our own nonprofit to teach water safety, wave riding, and paddling, and to provide boards and instruction for kids who couldn't afford them. This year, our dream came true, and we are proud to announce Little Board Riders to the world.
Little Board Riders is a remarkable non-profit organization dedicated to empowering children and igniting their passion for water sports. Our mission is to provide opportunities and resources through camps and equipment, enabling children to dive into the thrilling world of water sports. By fostering a love for activities like surfing, paddleboarding, and skimboarding, we aim to instill confidence, promote physical activity, and cultivate a deep appreciation for our oceans and waterways.
This summer, we partnered with Youth Guidance of Vero Beach and held our first watersports camp. Our goal was to create a safe and inclusive environment where children could learn and grow. Expert instructors guided young participants, teaching the fundamentals of various water sports while ensuring they developed essential skills and built self-esteem. Through structured lessons, water safety education, and engaging activities, Little Board Riders inspires children to explore their potential and embrace a healthy, active lifestyle.
At the end of the first day, the kids could verbalize ocean conditions, describe the parts of the boards, and actually stand up and ride waves. Our goal of improving their water knowledge and self-confidence was a success. As they were leaving, three boys asked their counselor to stop the bus so they could come back and talk to me. They not only thanked me but also expressed their interest in becoming competitive skimboarders and competing in the 17th annual Mulligans Skim Jam hosted by Shore lb. on August 30th and 31st 2024. This conversation made all the hard work worth it, and I felt that our team’s vision for Little Board Riders was on point and I knew at that point we were about to positively impact kids' lives that might never have this opportunity without our team. I left the beach that day knowing this is what I was put on this earth to do.
Our first summer camp was a great success, and we’re working on exciting plans for the fall. Our next big event is the Mulligans Skim Jam, and we’re proud to announce that three of our Little Board Riders campers will be competing. We hope to see everyone on the beach soon.
Maximum Respect,
Chris