In 2009, my then 4-year-old daughter and I travelled to San Diego to participate in a legendary surf camp called Paskowitz Surf Camp. The goal was to engage her in my favourite pastime. Instead something bigger happened. In the middle of the week at camp, we paused to volunteer with Surfers Healing. Initiated by Izzy Paskowitz and his wife Daniella, it was created by default. Their eldest son Isiah in on the lower end of the autism spectrum and finds absolute solace in the water. As soon as they realized this, they began to assist families in the autism community. Approximately two decades later, they travel all over the US, Mexico and Australia to provide a little silva to kids with autism. And so, on that day in July 2009, after witnessing the profound effect the water had on these kids, I knew we had to do this in Canada and Izzy concurred "just tell me when!
In 2012, we introduced Aloha Toronto to Canada. Families from as far as Michigan participated. 2017, will mark our 6th annual event and we hope to spread Aloha across Canada. The water has an extraordinary effect on individuals and we see it year-after-year. The water bears no judgement on who enters, it welcomes everyone. In return, we show our respect by taking care of it. We do our best to leave zero foot print.
Save your favourite destinations, activities, and articles to start creating your very own personalized Great Lakes Guide.
Ready to start exploring?
Save your favourite destinations, activities, and articles to start creating your very own personalized Great Lakes Guide.
As of 2024, the Great Lakes Guide will be transitioning to Biinaagami.org. Biinaagami is a multimedia, change-provoking initiative rooted in Indigenous knowledge aiming to uplift voices and to connect people with their watershed.
