SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — Disability didn’t hold back a group of surfers here Sunday.

For the ninth year in a row, SPI Sessions hosted its Special Needs Surf Clinic over the weekend, where people of all ages living with disabilities got to ride some waves with the help of volunteer adaptive surf instructors. The clinic took place on the sandy shore outside of Barry’s Beach Bar, with small but powerful surf, perfect for instruction.

Adaptive sports advocate and SPI Sessions founder Aarin Hartwell started the annual clinic in 2016.

Her good friend Guy Takayama, a renowned surf board shaper and professional long board surfer, had mentored her on adaptive surfing in California.

Hartwell brought that experience to South Padre Island, her home, to share the joy of surfing with the Rio Grande Vall

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