Abstract
Educational aquatic programming offers necessary physical activity opportunities to children with disabilities and the benefits of aquatic activities are more pronounced for children with disabilities than for their able-bodied peers. Similar benefits could potentially be derived from surfing in the ocean. This article describes an adapted surfing program that was designed to develop and enhance the children's strength, flexibility, range of motion, coordination, balance, and psychosocial development. Throughout the program, the children and their surf instructors were encouraged to set realistic individual goals. Many positive outcomes were derived from the project, including gains in social development and self-confidence.
Highlights
According to the World Health Organization (2010), children with disabilities have the same activity requirements as children without disabilities
Children with disabilities are more restricted in their participation, have lower levels of fitness, and have higher levels of obesity than their able-bodied peers. (Murphy, Carbone, and the Council on Children With Disabilities, 2008; Okagaki, Diamond, Kontos, & Hestenes, 1998)
Due to the properties of the ocean and the nature of the sport of surfing, another new and therapeutically beneficial option could be created for children with disabilities
Summary
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/kinesiology_facpubs. The University of Rhode Island Faculty have made this article openly available. Please let us know how Open Access to this research benefits you.
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