Rincon Invitational Surfers Share Waves

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) Surfers shared wave after wave during the 27th Rincon Invitational off the coast of Carpinteria.

More than 20 organizations, including Third World Surf, Ventura Educators, Waves of Grief, Ventura Makos, OLAS Foundation, Surfrider Foundation, Rincon Pit Crew, and Betty Belts took part.

"It is really an opportunity to share the stoke of surfing with people who don't get to surf Rincon very much, but they get to be a part of our event thanks to their public service efforts and recognition of the things they have done, to kind of take the selfish out of surfing," said event organizer and Surfrider Foundation founder Glenn Hening.

The California Adaptive Surf Team is a great example.

Members focus on what they are able to do in a place that may be difficult to access. 

"It was awesome, I didn't think I would be able to surf this break again, but with the help of friends and this organization of people and the family coming out to help, it is just awesome.," said DJ Lombardo.

He has not let a motocross crash keep him down.

"This is a once a year opportunity for me to come back, I grew up surfing hear able-bodied but then I became paralyzed and didn't know if I was going to be able to surf again and this has given me an opportunity another chance redeeming myself coming back to my childhood fun," said DJ Lombardo, " It is such a freeing feeling and it fills my heart and soul."

Hening said efforts to make the path and viewing area accessible for wheelchairs have hit roadblocks, but that doesn't mean it can't happen in the future if Carpinteria surfers support efforts.

Surf legends including Shaun Tomson and Jericho Poppler also took part in the Rincon Invitational.

"This is the Groundswell surfing benefit fundraiser, team event so everyone goes out and they are not competing, it is not about that, it is about sharing waves and thinking about all the good stuff that we do for for intracoastal research, and cultural wellness and awareness of surfing," said Poppler.

All of the money raised goes to scholarships and protecting the surf environment.

For more information visit https://groundswell-society.org