Inspiration

ampsurf

Imagine that you are told you will never be able to walk on your own two feet again. Now imagine being told you can surf.

We recently had the opportunity to get to know some of the people behind the Association of Amputee Surfers. Also known as AmpSurf, it is a non-profit organization made up of amputees, veterans and friends and family of the disabled here on the Central Coast. We were inspired by their stories and wanted to share them with you. But, we’ll let them speak for themselves...

Dana Cummings

age 40 Hometown Livermore Falls, ME BoarD Dimensions 8’6” BoarD type Armstrong surf spot Pismo Beach Pier

“I lost my leg not my life.”

9 years ago in August, 2002, AmpSurf founder Dana Cummings’ leg was amputated due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Cummings learned to surf in January 2003, only four months after his amputation. In August 2003 Cummings competed in his first surfing competition and took 4th place, receiving his first trophy. He now competes in surfing, wakeboarding, water-skiing, rock climbing, snowboarding and soccer – all sports he did not participate in prior to his amputation.

moniCa Denatly

age 28 Hometown Morro Bay, CA BoarD Dimensions 8’8” BoarD type Santa Cruz Strive surf spot 24th Street, Morro Bay

“My life is based around how the waves are that day and when I’m going to go out. It’s totally changed my life.”

For Monican DeNatly, walking with prosthetics has become second nature. She was born missing the fibula bones in both of her legs. Her parents decided it would be best to amputate her legs below her knees when she was three years old. Growing up in Canada, surfing was the last thing DeNatly thought she would be doing. Now DeNatly is in the ocean three to four times per week and checks the surf report every day.

nate smiDs

age 26 Hometown Chatam, Ontario BoarD Dimensions 7’6” BoarD type Golven surf spot Willow Creek, Big Sur

“I might have a few different limitations, but even the average able person has limitations in different ways.”

Before the snowboarding accident that forced Nate Smids to have his leg amputated six years ago, he was active in several sports. Instead of allowing his “luck” (as he calls it) to hinder him, he has adapted his daily routine to accommodate his prosthetic leg.

Courtney Dawn

age 23 Hometown Manteca, CA BoarD Dimensions 12’ BoarD type stand-up paddle board surf spot Pismo Beach

“I always have people coming up to me saying, ‘You’re doing something I can’t even do with two legs and you’re doing it with one.”

Three years ago Courtney Dawn was not sure what was wrong with her leg and neither were her doctors. After years of misdiagnosis, Dawn was told she had osteogenic sarcoma, a malignant bone cancer. After the subsequent chemotherapy and limb-salvage surgery, Dawn was given two options: let the cancer spread or have her leg amputated. A year and a half ago Dawn chose the latter and never looked back.