On Sunday, Lakewood Camping Resort once again partnered with the Adaptive Surf Project, this time, to host Wheel to Surf, a powerful event celebrating accessibility, inclusion, and the freedom that comes from catching a wave. Dozens of adaptive athletes, volunteers, and supporters gathered on the sand to show that the ocean truly is for everyone.
About the Adaptive Surf Project
Founded in 2013 in the Cherry Grove neighborhood of North Myrtle Beach, the Adaptive Surf Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making surfing accessible to everyone, no matter their ability. The group helps fit surfboards adapted to the needs of individuals with various limitations, including paralysis, Down syndrome, and autism, and they train volunteers to assist participants in the water.
Throughout the year, the Adaptive Surf Project hosts events like Wheel to Surf, their flagship event, which is a surf clinic for individuals who happen to have a disability. It’s an opportunity for anyone to experience the joy of surfing.The success of these events depends entirely on the dedication of volunteers and the support of local partners.
Before surfers hit the waves, Adaptive Surf Project Director Luke Sharpe thanked everyone for their support and recognized Lakewood’s commitment to creating an inclusive beach experience.
“If you’re a surfer, you know how wonderful it is, and we just want to share that with people who happen to have disabilities,” Sharpe said. “If Lakewood Campground can do this, everybody can do it. We need to live in a world where beaches are for everyone.”
Lakewood Camping Resort has made significant improvements to ensure its stretch of coastline is more accessible for all guests. The resort has added Mobi-Mats, converted designated beach access points into ramps, and offers beach wheelchair and walker rentals available daily at the resort’s new Waves & Wheels Station.
This year’s Wheel to Surf event also featured the debut of a new Waveski adaptive surfboard, designed and handcrafted by Ian Macleod, a talented board maker and advocate for accessible surfing.
“Just to give you a little bit of a rundown on the project, this was God-inspired,” Ian shared. “I’ve taken my talents, and I believe I’ve got three: I can ride these boards, I can make these boards, and I love people. So what I’ve done is come up with this design where the rider sits lower, with a low center of gravity, in a comfortable position and with their head high above the water. It’s safer, it gives them more control, and lets them really experience surfing in the waves.”
“When Luke says the ocean is for everybody, what he doesn’t say is that there’s an amazing healing power in the ocean that changes people. You can go down and have a terrible day at work, go surfing, and everything changes. We don’t know exactly what that power is, but it’s there. And that’s what we’re trying to do here, help everybody experience that ocean power.”
The Waveski design allows riders to surf seated, creating stability and independence for individuals with mobility challenges. During the event, Audia Gillam, a longtime Lakewood guest and inspiration behind many of the resort’s accessibility efforts, had the honor of taking the first ride.
Wheel to Surf Founder Brock Johnson shared his powerful story of resilience and gratitude.
“I just want to tell you a little bit about why we’re here,” Brock began. “I’ve been on the Grand Strand for more than half my life now, about 28 years. When I was 33, I had a diving accident on a boat that left me quadriplegic. I didn’t know what I was going to do with my life then. At first, I couldn’t do anything for myself; I couldn’t even be myself. It’s really hard to figure out what life is like when everything changes like that.”
“But when I got back in the water, when I started doing therapy in the pool, it was like something woke up in me again. I’d been in the water my whole life, and it just made me happy. The water has healing powers, it’s magical. Once I was back in it, I realized I could help other people find that same happiness. That’s what we’re doing here, helping people.”
“At first, I could only surf once or twice a year, but those moments stayed with me through the whole year and kept me going. Now we’ve built something that helps people all year long. There are always going to be people who need help, and one day, you might be the one who needs it. So I just want to thank all of you for being here, for helping us, and for keeping this going.”
Wheel to Surf continues to bring that joy to hundreds of adaptive surfers each year through community, teamwork, and compassion.
Lakewood Camping Resort is proud to support the Adaptive Surf Project and Wheel to Surf, ensuring that the Grand Strand continues to be a place where everyone can experience the magic of the ocean.
Learn more about the Adaptive Surf Project at AdaptiveSurfProject.com