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Terry Simms and Shared Adventures President Foster Andersen surfing Pleasure Point in Santa Cruz in 1992. |
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"Believe it or not, 2009 will mark Shared Adventures’ 15th anniversary of being a non-profit!! It’s been exciting, challenging and rewarding watching the organization grow. Our calendar of activities continues to expand and more and more new faces arrive at the events. Thank you to all who have been a part of the growth over the last decade and a half!
It’s fun to take a moment and reflect back on how it all began…
In 1985, Kent Winchester took me sit-skiing in upstate New York. It was the first time I had gone skiing since before my motorcycle accident in 1978. Skiing the same mountain I had eight years previously was a life changing moment I will never forget. From this experience, Shared Adventures began with the vision of offering similar opportunities to others with special needs.
In 1990, I came to Santa Cruz to continue my education and help support the community after the 1989 earthquake. While in school, Terry Simms, a professional surfer, came to Cabrillo College’s Adaptive P.E. program and asked if anybody wanted to go surfing. A handful in the class expressed interest and the following week we were getting carried down the stairs on 38th Avenue. Some of us had never been out on the waves before in our lives. Surfing for the first time was an amazing connection to the ocean. I loved feeling the power of the wave behind me as Terry pushed the board to get it up to speed.
Not only was surfing an extraordinary time for us but also the volunteers. For most, it was their first time partnering with people with special needs and getting the chance to share their love of surfing with them. It was a powerful day for everyone.
From this experience, I was reminded of all the good times skiing on the east coast and decided to start Shared Adventures here in Santa Cruz. Starting this program was my way of networking the disabled and able-bodied populations together to experience the beautiful natural resources that Santa Cruz County has to offer.
After that surfing experience, the first Day on the Beach in 1992 was born! I formed a Board of Directors and we began moving toward non-profit status. We officially became a non-profit in 1994, and here we are 15 years later still providing the community with exciting year-round events!
Every calendar we try to come up with some new ideas as well as including ever-popular older ones. I hope that you find this year’s Spring Calendar as awesome as I do!"
Foster Andersen
Founder/President
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