Operation Amped
When I first got in contact with Dan through a mutual friend I only knew that he was involved with some sort of Organization who helped veterans get back in the water and surf. What I didn’t know is how great this program is and how it is making a difference in the wounded veterans lives. I would like to thank Dan for providing this interview in the hopes of getting the word out about “Operation Amped.
About Operation Amped:
The program is called Operation Amped and it was founded by a guy in Los Angeles after he saw a “60 Minutes” story on returning veterans. The story highlighted the advancements of battlefield medicine and the dramatic reduction in loss of life in the Iraq and Afghan conflicts. The unexpected consequence of this is that many of our soldiers and marines are returning with serious disabilities. The founder of Operation Amped, realizing what a positive and healing influence surfing has been in his life, decided to help these injured young men and women. The program is basically a day at the beach, something so simple but a difficult task if you have a prosthetic limb or are in a wheelchair. It’s just a fun day where the veterans can learn to surf in a structured environment as well as showing our appreciation for their sacrifice.
How did you get involved?
I saw a very small article in an even smaller local newspaper about Operation Amped. After serving in the military in the post-Vietnam era, I saw first hand how bad treatment of returning war vets really screwed them up. My wife and I knew we had to get involved.
What do you personally do involving the program?
I’m mostly an in the water guy; either as a primary instructor or hanging on the inside and getting the vets turned around and back outside for another wave. The range of disabilities runs from double amputees above the knees to traumatic brain injuries to paraplegics and quadriplegics. Most of these young men and women were very active and athletic before their injuries so some of them take to surfing naturally. The more disabled guys just ride the waves in on their bellies but the stoke is no less. Equally important as the surfing is the interaction on the beach. We listen to their stories, talk about the normal things, and just give them a day at the beach where they can hang out and have fun.
What do you see as the importance of the program?
First and foremost is for us to thank them for their service and sacrifice. I can only imagine that after giving so much, it would be great to feel that people appreciated it. Several of these guys have told me that their lives were full adrenaline: young, tough guys go from the rush of combat to the pain and boredom of hospitals, surgeries, rehabilitation, and then sitting on the couch at home. For some of them, surfing has been the first exciting thing they’ve done since they were “blown up” (that’s what the vets call it). It is also a first step toward living a normal life again.
How can others get involved?
All you have to do is go to the Operation Amped website and volunteer! If you can instruct surfing, great. If you want to help on the beach, that’s needed as well. If you want to donate money, boards, lunches, anything to help these young men and women is so appreciated.
Has volunteering had any specific impact on your life?
How could it not. You can’t help but be touched by a 19 year old kid who lost his legs in Fallujah thanking you over and over for taking him surfing. We tell these vets this is about us thanking them. All of the every day stresses of life shrink in the rear view mirror after you spend a day with these vets.
What is your favorite part of the program or favorite memory?
My favorite part of the program has to be seeing the stoke when you get these guys to stand up and ride the white wash in for the first time. That is a turning point in every surfer’s life, but when you have one titanium leg, that’s stoke times 100.
By far the heaviest memory is an incident that happened while at a Veteran’s Administration event in San Diego. A veteran had been injured in a roadside bomb attack and his doctors told him that he was paralyzed from the waist down. While bellying a wave in, he hit a little cross-chop and was knocked off his board. When he went face down in the water, his reaction was to start swimming. To his surprise, he was able to kick with his legs. All of the doctors had told him that he was paralyzed and his legs couldn’t move, but when he hit the water, he just reacted. His physical therapist was also at the event and when he told her what happened, she said that the following Monday, he would immediately begin a new type of physical therapy in the pool to hopefully regain his ability to walk.
Click on the Picture Below to go to their Website:
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