(BIVN) – The Surfers Healing Camp for children with autism and other disabilities came to Keaukaha on Friday.

The free event was held under sunny skies – a good surf – at Richardson Ocean Park in Hilo.

According to the County of Hawaii, the event is now in its eighth year. The Surfers Healing Hawaii Chapter provides disabled children and their families “with the unique experience of surfing with professionals under supervised conditions.”

Knowledgeable surfing instructors – like Ikaika Kalama, who we interviewed for this story – and Kalani Kahalioumi were on hand, along with many others who gave their time to bring joy to the local families.

According to the county:

Surfers Healing is a national organization started 20 years ago in California to share the joy of surfing with the less fortunate. Surfers Healing Hawai‘i Island chapter is sponsoring this drug-, alcohol- and tobacco-free event. Additional support provided through a partnership with the Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Eddie Aikau Foundation.

Surfers Healing Camps are held throughout the world, providing more than 3,000 children annually with the opportunity to try surfing. More information at surfershealing.org.