'It's Like My Church. After A Day Of This, My Heart Is Full'

Also at the US Open will be a live mural painting by Canadian artist and adaptive surfer Murray Siple, known professionally as WALLETMOTH. Siple paints from his wheelchair with limited hand movement but he works fast, like a graffiti artist. Growing up, he was drawn to skate and snow culture before studying at Emily Carr University.

“Movement and energy have always been at the core of my work. Living with a disability has changed how I approach it, but it hasn't come close to stopping me. I'm still after the same raw intensity, just in a different way and beyond. I'm just getting started!"

Murray Siple, aka WALLETMOTH

In other news, Waves4All, an adaptive surf clinic is meeting this Sunday (as they do on the last Sunday of every month) at the Oceanside Harbor. Participation is free for all surfers and volunteer watermen are always appreciated. For those interested in learning more you can contact John White at socaltrufit@gmail.com

Alex Uppencamp, who surfs with Waves4All, said this of the program, “​​My family found Waves4All back in the middle of 2020 during COVID. This was several months after I was injured mountain biking and returned home to a new life. What really struck me about the program is that they differentiate if you were a veteran or autistic or a spinal cord injury or anything else, they're main concern is if you have a disability and you want to surf. Since then we have gotten a trailer that carries all of our equipment and there's a few of us that take the trailer down on the last Sunday of the month to help people surf. It's more like my church because after a day of this my heart is full and I sleep easy.”

From the East Coast, we recently heard from Surfing With Smiles, which was founded in 2009 by two high-school friends, Taylor Carr and Lindsey Mercer, it has grown from a small gathering into a celebrated summer tradition. With help from the Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Co. in Hampton, New Hampshire, they've officially wrapped 2025 season, celebrating a summer where 212 people with disabilities got to experience the joy of surfing — all at no cost to families.

“When Cinnamon Rainbows first committed to helping us
bring this idea to life, none of us could have imagined what it would grow into... Seventeen years later, it’s become an
important part of so many lives — and the most rewarding thing we could have ever
imagined.”

Taylor Carr, Surfing With Smiles

Lastly, from the far side of the pond, Finisterre, the UK based sustainable apparel and wetsuits brand, has started to offer adaptive suits as part of their rental program. Finisterre Founder, Tom Kay, said, “Making adaptive wetsuits available through our core rental service is a natural step in our commitment to ocean inclusivity. It’s about ensuring everyone has the opportunity to experience the freedom and joy the sea offers.”