Say Aloha to Diane Whitcomb, whom we’re pretty sure must have gills, she spends that much time in the water! Diane is a fixture at nearly every AccesSurf event, in the water from start to finish. On top of that she is a member of the Hawaii Adaptive Surf Team, has competed at several HSA events, Duke’s OceanFest, and of course the ISA Adaptive World Championships. Here is Diane, in her own words:
I first met Rich Julian when I paddled outrigger canoe with Pure Light. He invited everyone on the team to come to AccesSurf Day at the Beach. I think it was December 2013. I surfed tandem but I really wanted to try the wave ski so the second time I came to DATB I surfed on a wave ski by myself and I fell in love with it. In August 2014 Cara encouraged me to compete in the Dukes Fest. I can still remember feeling terrified as I drove to Waikiki for the competition. I had only surfed about 4 or 5 times. I came in second. Alana Nichols came in first. Not too shabby!! When AccesSurf formed the Surf team they invited me to try out. Why not, what a great opportunity… and attending the first ISA International Adaptive Surf Meet in La Jolla, California was the thrill of a life time. The ocean is so healing and when I am out there I feel pure joy. But I couldn’t do it without all the help and support from the AccesSurf volunteers and my teammates who have now become dear friends. This is a new adventure, a new chapter in my life and I am so grateful. Thank you all so much. “
