Surfing Laguna:

Laguna summers can be crowded affairs, with clean south swells, family barbeques and summer camps (to name just a few) all vying for a spot on the weekly agenda.

Many of these activities will fade into the recesses of our cerebral hard drives, with a scant few relegated to “classic” or even “all time” memory status.

Last summer several Laguna groms stashed away a few of those special summer moments down at Camp Pendleton (near Trestles) helping a group of surfers that produce an amazing event called “Operation Amped” for our injured U.S. troops, many of which are amputees.

It’s unforgettable to see the look on these young soldiers’ faces as they are riding waves, certainly a very pure form of stoke.

Here is some info from the Operation Amped site:

“Founded by a group of surfers in 2006, Operation Amped is about giving back to those who’ve been wounded in service of our country.

As surfers, we can’t think of any greater expression of what they fought for than the freedom of surfing itself.

As thanks, we share our love of the ocean with disabled vets.

Throughout the year, Operation Amped puts on surf events that range in duration from one day to a week.

At these events, vets who’ve been wounded have the chance to get free of the constraints that illness or injury has imposed on them.

Many have never set foot on a surfboard. Many have never set foot in the ocean. Some can’t even swim.

But with the support of this grassroots effort, everyone has fun. Among our team are number are retired servicemen, former world champion surfers such as Shaun Tomson, and even agents from one of Hollywood’s top talent agencies.”

This year’s Pendleton event is August 14 through 17. Check out www.operationamped.com to get involved.

Special memories are waiting.

CHRIS WILLIAMS is a surfing coach and Laguna Beach resident, and father of four surf-crazy sons. He can be reached at chris@soulsurfingschool.com or (949) 497-5918.