Living Your Best Life

PARASURFING! 

"Help Hawaii Win!"

Kayla Woputz

My middle daughter, Dr. Kayla Woputz, is living her best life thanks to adaptive sports. I took Kayla to Hawaii at the age of 13, and she learned how to surf, and then continued surfing all through college at USB.  Throughout her youth she was also a dancer, competitive swimmer, and she competed in track and field. But at the age of 21 she was paralyzed during a back surgery to correct scoliosis.

She eventually got some feeling back and taught herself to walk. But over the course of her life she hid her pain and limitations the best she could. Now, after multiple back surgeries, the prognosis says she'll live her life in a wheelchair. That's when she's not on her racing bike, or on her surfboard, that is. 

For those are wheelchair bound... the oceans are open to you, too! The most incredible athletes I have ever met are those who participate in adaptive sports. They do not complain. They are supportive of each other. And they are always smiling. Not only is my daughter one of the coolest people I know, but her smile is real thanks to her ability to live her best life competing in a variety of sports.  And she is on the Hawaii Adaptive Surf Team and headed to competition. 

Hawaii Adaptive Surf Team 

World Surf Competition

Huntington Beach California 

November 4-11, 2023

28 Countries Will Compete!

I'll be there cheering them on, 

and I hope to see you there too!

  HawaiiAdaptiveSurfTeam.com 

The International Surfing Association (ISA), founded in 1964, is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the World Governing Authority for Surfing. The Parasurf World Championships have been held since 2015, and the 2022 championships hosted over 180 athletes from 28 countries. This year Huntington Beach, California will host the competition from Nov 4-11, 2023. 

Meet The Hawaii Team! 

The Hawaii Team will be competing in 9 categories  based on disability type and mobility level. Twelve surfers from various islands will compete this year for Team Hawaii. 

Team List: 

Carter Perry, Oahu- Men’s Below Knee Standing Division, IG: carter_parry 

Ann Yoshida, Oahu- Women’s Prone 2 Division, IG: annyoguava 

Kayla Woputz, Oahu- Women’s Prone 1 Division, IG: dr.woputz 

Dustin Meza, Oahu- Men’s Kneel Division, IG: paralysis_assassin 

Mike Coots, Kauai- Above Knee Standing Division, IG: mikecoots 

Evan Strong, Maui- Above Knee Standing Division, IG: evan_strong 

Shelby Estacado, Oahu- Wave Ski Division, IG: estooooooo 

Josh Bogle, Maui- Men’s Kneel Division, IG: Joshybogle 

Aaron Paulk, Maui- Men’s Visual Impairment 2 Division, IG: Blindish_Surfer 

Eric Lazar, Kauai- Men’s Prone 2 Division, IG: ericlazar3 

Scott Davis, Maui- Men’s Prone 2 Division, IG: blownc5 

Casey Proud, Hawaii- Men’s Prone 1 Division, IG: shakaloha1000 

The Maui Challenge

These athletes depend upon donors and sponsorship. Sadly, many of the long-time donors and sponsors have lost their homes and businesses in the fire. Two of the Hawaii surf team members and their head coach were directly impacted by the fires in Lahaina as well. It's hard enough to deal with life challenges of losing your home, but when you don't have legs or are blind, the challenges become more so. It's difficult to imagine the challenges so many face. But we can help. 

Three of their athletes live on the mainland and are self-funding their trips to Huntington, but there are s 9 athletes and 1-2 coaches that need support to make it to competition. Anything can help. 

Kayla says: 

We are seeking help in the following ways:

Kayla's direct fundraising page here 

"All of my donations are going to go to the team, 

I'm self funding my trip." 

You can also donate at the team's main fundraising page found HERE: Donate

"Funds will be used directly to help athletes travel and compete at worlds. Anything raised over the goal amount will be used to help our athletes who lost equipment seek replacements. Donations of things that can be used in an online silent Auction in early October. This is typically held in person in Lahaina, but this year will be moved online. Any In-Kind donations or connections in the way of tickets from Honolulu and Maui to LAX, or accommodations in Huntington Beach from Nov 3-12th."

Visit the World's Website to Learn More about the organization

Learn More About Parasurfing Here

“It’s not whether you get knocked down; 

it’s whether you get up.” 

Vince Lombardi

Let's Do This!

Dr. Karlene Petitt
PhD. MBA. MHS.
A350, B777, A330, B747-400, B747-200, B767, B757, B737, B727