Kanoa Aquatics hosts surf camp for blind youth
Tiffany Zhao, 16, rides a wave with Kanoa Aquatics instructor Troy Campbell. Photo by Alene Tchekmedyian Clad in a black and gray wetsuit, Tiffany Zhao laid on top of a blue surfboard on the sand, clutching the edges as she crawled toward the top. “That’s the nose,” said Kanoa Aquatics surf instructor Troy Campbell, one overcast morning, as she felt her way around. Sixteen-year-old Zhao is blind. She was one of about a dozen kids hailing from the San Gabriel Valley and Burbank for a day at the beach on behalf of the Braille Institute, a non-profit that offers free services to visually impaired people. For 12 years, Kanoa has partnered with the Braille Institute to host the surf camp for kids. “Kids, whether they can see or not, once they go out and get the feeling of riding a wave, it’s amazing,” said Kanoa owner Kip Jerger. “It raises their spirits.” Zhao has participated in the camp for five years. “Do you remember how to get up from last time?” Campbell asked, prompting Zhao to jump to her feet, stretching her arms out to balance on the board. She was ready to go into the water. “I might wipe out!” she said, with a giggle, as she walked toward the shore with Campbell. “Remember…
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