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In The News

Indo Jax Surf Charities to be spotlighted by the ‘Oprah Winfrey Network’

Source: Port City Daily

July 27, 2017

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH — “The Hero Effect,” a one-hour documentary-series on the Oprah Winfrey Network, will spotlight the efforts of Indo Jax Surf Charities later this summer. “The Hero Effect” series was made in partnership with United Way Worldwide, shot in ten different communities across the United States.

Available in over 80-million homes via OWN, each episode highlights a real-life story, showing what the show’s producers describe as “the lives of ordinary people making extraordinary differences in their communities.”

Even though the show won’t premier until Saturday, Aug. 12 at 10 a.m., a world premier celebration will be held at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort on Thursday, Aug. 10 from six to nine p.m.

Shot on-location in Wrightsville Beach and co-hosted by Super Bowl Champ Donald Driver and actress Emily Wilson, this episode documents a surf camp for the visually impaired, just one in a roster of free camps designed by Indo Jax founder Jack Viorel.

These camps are designed to build self-esteem and empower medically fragile, special needs, and disadvantaged children, according to Viorel.

“Indo Jax Surf Charities uses the ocean as a classroom and surfing as a learning tool,” Viorel said. “We believe the ocean has unique healing properties with an ever-changing, unpredictable environment.

“Getting into the ocean and learning to surf, particularly special needs children, is a life-long lesson about stepping out of your comfort zone, into unpredictability, and removing limitations. Everything in life has a bit of fear. We teach the kids that it’s okay to be afraid.

“Our programs build higher self-confidence and teach a system children can apply to any situation or hurdle in the future. They leave with a formula to be more successful, conquer more challenges, and the ability to deal with fear,” Viorel said.

With programs in North Carolina, California, Nicaragua and India, the Indo Jax schedule includes camps specially formatted for those dealing with autism, visual impairment, childhood cancer and cystic fibrosis; there are also programs for Boys and Girls Clubs, Children of Belarus, the Boys and Girls Home of Lake Waccamaw, inclusion camps and special needs camps.

“I encourage anybody thinking about surf camp to go for it,” Eric Stanley said. Stanley is the father of 11-year old Jaylen, who is unable to see and is courageously battling Juvenile Batten disease. “Jack and his team are great. They’re very patient and know how to work with kids. A parent does not have to worry…”

In 2017, Indo Jax Surf Charities aims to serve and assist about 1,000 children, free of charge. “We take on the responsibility of raising the money,” Viorel said. “Most families with medically fragile, special needs, or at-risk children are struggling to make ends meet.”

Contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations and corporate sponsors fund the surf camp programs.

“United Health Care has supported the program for three years, The Jordan Spieth Foundation came on board last year, and this year Live Oak Bank joined the team,” Viorel said.  “Blockade Runner Beach Resort has been a solid supporter.”

For more information, and to find out how you can get involved, contact Jack Viorel at jack@indojaxsurfschool.com, or (910)274-3565