Whoever said “it can’t be done” has never met Patrick Murphy and his band of dedicated surf instructors or their eager students:  blind children who were determined to surf. On waves. In the Pacific Ocean.

Pat, an avowed adventurer who lists high-level skiing and zip lining as his “normal” sports activities, is an avid surfer. In fact, he’s surfed all over the world and has many friends who are profession- al surf instructors.

So, 12 years ago, working with the Los Angeles County Braille Institute, he got the wild idea to create classes to teach blind kids to surf. The Institute helps him identify kids with various sight levels who want the experience of riding a wave.

Each surfer is paired with a sighted volunteer — most with extensive safety training — to then attend five sessions at 45th Street in El Porto.

“The volunteer is not just there to stand by the student in the water,” explained Patrick. “We are there to stabilize the boards teach them to time the waves and, of course, pull them to safety if they fall in the drink.”

After several morning hours in the water, the kids enjoy a free meal from a local restaurant (shout out to Sharkeez!) and then have the option of hitting the waves again in the afternoon.

Watching Patrick’s video of these kids experiencing the sound of the surf, the smell of ocean and the ultimate thrill of standing up on the board was truly inspiring.

And that’s how Patrick and his crew feel every summer, especially when they get letters like this:

“Without you guys, I would never have fallen in love with the sea.”