f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
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The <strong>Trinidad</strong><br />
Nicholas Marsan<br />
experience<br />
Las Cuevas Surf Day<br />
by Robyn Edwards M.Sc., Speech-Language Pathologist<br />
The iceberg <strong>of</strong> differences melted away<br />
under the blazing sun at Las Cuevas beach<br />
on September 5, 2009, when the specialneeds<br />
children <strong>and</strong> their families from<br />
Caribbean Kids <strong>and</strong> Families Therapy<br />
Organization (CKFTO), met the surfers<br />
from the Surfing Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Trinidad</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong> (SATT). The surfers brought<br />
their expertise <strong>and</strong> skill while the parents<br />
brought their gratitude <strong>and</strong> the children<br />
brought their smiles. Unified by the<br />
weightlessness <strong>of</strong> water, all barriers were<br />
crossed <strong>and</strong> the parents, children <strong>and</strong><br />
surfers united for one purpose…fun, a type<br />
<strong>of</strong> fun that gave a freedom <strong>of</strong> spirit to all.<br />
The day started at 9:00 a.m. <strong>and</strong> the<br />
surfers, pr<strong>of</strong>essional as bankers, were<br />
ready <strong>and</strong> raring to go. It was a true<br />
testament to how seriously they were<br />
taking the day to hear Chris Dennis, one<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong>’s most prominent<br />
surfers, prep the group, which ranged<br />
in age from 14 to 40. He had done his<br />
homework; the children who had come<br />
to surf had a range <strong>of</strong> disorders <strong>and</strong><br />
Chris managed to succinctly give a little<br />
information on each.<br />
At first, the families <strong>and</strong> surfers milled<br />
around, no one quite sure how to start.<br />
This was, <strong>of</strong> course, new to everyone.<br />
Some <strong>of</strong> these families had not been to<br />
the beach in years, far less ever on a surf<br />
board <strong>and</strong> the some <strong>of</strong> the surfers had<br />
never been around children with special<br />
needs. Sara Stephens the co-founder <strong>of</strong><br />
CKFTO <strong>and</strong> I stood around anxiously, what<br />
were we doing bringing all these people<br />
to the unpredictable ocean, there were<br />
so many things that could go wrong. Our<br />
fears were soon appeased however; all it<br />
took was one person to start. Soon there<br />
were as many as fifty people in the water<br />
laughing, splashing <strong>and</strong> having a ball.<br />
The only time the children could be<br />
coaxed to leave the water was when<br />
Warren Rostant, the primary organiser <strong>of</strong><br />
the event, came walking down the beach<br />
ringing the bells <strong>of</strong> the ice-cream cart he<br />
had gotten so generously donated, the<br />
children swarmed around him. Less than<br />
five minutes later, faces <strong>and</strong> h<strong>and</strong>s sticky<br />
from the lollies <strong>and</strong> ice creams they had<br />
inhaled, the kids were headed back to<br />
the water.<br />
Slowly, after hours out in the surf, the<br />
children, parents <strong>and</strong> surfers started<br />
making their way back to where the tent<br />
had been set up. They all had a weary<br />
smile on their faces. The question that<br />
each asked was, “When are we doing this<br />
again, can we do it again next week”<br />
Maybe, maybe was answered, always with<br />
a smile. Because <strong>of</strong> the huge success<br />
the day turned out to be, that answer<br />
will not have been in vain, as there are<br />
already plans in the works for a Christmas<br />
party with a Surfer Santa ho-ho-ho-ing<br />
his way down the beach with a bag full <strong>of</strong><br />
surprises.<br />
It is the mission <strong>of</strong> both <strong>of</strong> the<br />
organisations involved that set the stage<br />
for the generosity <strong>of</strong> spirit that could be<br />
demonstrated that day. CKFTO is a nonpr<strong>of</strong>it<br />
organisation in <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong><br />
dedicated to providing occupational<br />
therapy to children with special needs. In<br />
addition to providing therapy, CKFTO also<br />
supports families through a monthly parent<br />
support group <strong>and</strong> sibling group, Sibshop.<br />
The Surfing Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Tobago</strong> is a non-pr<strong>of</strong>it organization intent<br />
on moving the sport <strong>of</strong> surfing forward in<br />
every aspect. Keith Lewis, the president<br />
<strong>of</strong> SATT says it best, “Gone are the days<br />
<strong>of</strong> surfing’s negative stereotypes; today<br />
surfing ambassadors have only positives<br />
to pass on to our communities. We are<br />
here to share the joy <strong>of</strong> wave riding <strong>and</strong><br />
beach culture. We are here to share the joy<br />
<strong>and</strong> love <strong>of</strong> all the ocean has to <strong>of</strong>fer.”<br />
Gone were all stereotypes that day<br />
as children with special needs blended<br />
<strong>and</strong> became just kids on surfboards,<br />
laughing <strong>and</strong> splashing in the water. Their<br />
challenges <strong>and</strong> those <strong>of</strong> their families got<br />
lost, at least for a few hours. Siblings got<br />
a chance to connect with <strong>and</strong> enjoy their<br />
brother or sister in a completely new way.<br />
Small battles were won all day, such as the<br />
child with autism, who had not put foot<br />
into water for two years, splashing around<br />
in the waves, or the little girl with cerebral<br />
palsy riding a surfboard, or just simply a<br />
family being able to enjoy a day together<br />
at the beach. Such simple joys can easily<br />
be forgotten in the rush <strong>of</strong> daily life.<br />
That day, roles were reversed, the kids<br />
became surfers <strong>and</strong> the surfers became<br />
kids, <strong>and</strong> everyone was a teacher. The<br />
smiles <strong>and</strong> enjoyment <strong>of</strong> all involved was<br />
beautiful to see.<br />
If any more information on either <strong>of</strong><br />
these organisations is wanted you can get<br />
in touch with CKFTO at (868) 703-3863 or<br />
e-mail them at ckfto1@gmail.com, for SATT<br />
please e-mail wrostant@gmail.com or call<br />
Warren Rostant at (868) 354-6969<br />
80<br />
The <strong>Ins</strong> & <strong>Outs</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong>