It all started with Andeaux Borunda helping disabled veterans from the Wounded Warrior Project surf at Camp Pendleton. Some of the surfers were amputees, others had lost the use of their limbs. Andeaux realized quickly that getting these combat veterans up and riding on a surfboard was no easy feat. The volunteers all struggled to help them up and even when they got up, helping them stay balanced was challenging.
The problem nagged at him, but after trying to teach his son to surf and struggling to get a grip, Andeaux knew that there was a better way to deal with both problems, and it was just so elegantly simple. He sketched out a life vest that had handles in key places to help him lift and had a prototype made to try with his son.
It worked. Perfectly. SafeGrom was born.
Since then, there have been a few iterations, and the newest version of the vest is amazing. It features lower neck and arm holes to prevent chafing and allow full range of motion, but the real key is the “Stoke Grip” in the center of the back that allows a grown up to help young surfers pop up into position. There are also side and back handles that are ergonomically designed to keep stress away from the spine while lifting, even at some less than ideal angles. The result is a vest that can help keep your kid safer in virtually any watersport… And looks cooler than any vest you’ve ever seen.
If all of this sounds like something that would help the awesome volunteers from Surfers Healing teach kids with autism to surf, you’re right! The vests make it easier to get the kids up and riding, and that’s what it’s all about. That’s why Double Good teamed up with SafeGrom to provide one hundred of these vests for kids to use in Surfers Healing camps all season long.
Sometimes truly amazing things can happen when we stop and take a moment to help someone up.
If you would like to support Surfers Healing, you can use code SURFER when you order popcorn, and 50% of your purchase will go toward helping them continue to provide these incredible camps free to kids with autism.