Two surfboards used for a surfing program that provides therapeutic ocean activities for people with disabilities were stolen over the weekend from a truck parked in St. Louis Heights.
A white 12-foot Infinity surfboard and a 12-foot Surftech soft-top rescue surfboard with yellow and red markings were stolen sometime between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning from AccessSurf’s truck in front of the house of Cara Troy, programs coordinator. The boards usually are stored at the Coast Guard’s Barbers Point Air Station.
Troy said she brought the surfboards to her Kaimuki home to store until Friday’s paddle-out memorial at Waikiki Walls for surfing legend Montgomery "Buttons" Kaluhiokalani, a program volunteer who died Nov. 2 of lung cancer at age 55.
The stolen Infinity board was to be used so that individuals with disabilities could participate in the memorial.
Co-Founder Mark Marble said Kaluhiokalani volunteered for five years.
"He never missed a Saturday," he said. "He was one of our key instructors that would surf with families with disabilities. He was strong in the water and gentle with families with disabilities."
Though the nonprofit organization has about 14 surfboards, the stolen Infinity board was the main one used by instructors to go tandem surfing with individuals with physical limitations.
"We don’t have a replacement at this point," said Troy.
The estimated value of the Infinity board is $1,200, and the rescue board, $800. Both have been marked with the acronym "AS" in black letters with a number. AccessSurf officials said they do no not know what number or numbers are on the stolen boards.
The organization celebrated its seventh anniversary this month. AccessSurf offers two free programs monthly at White Plains Beach.
The "Day at the Beach" program is held on the first Saturday of every month. About 70 to 90 individuals participate. A "Wounded Warriors" program is held on the third Wednesday of every month. About 20 injured or disabled military veterans or active-duty service members participate.
Marble asked for the return of the surfboards, no questions asked. Call him at 218-9804, Troy at 748-1820 or AccessSurf’s main line at 236-4200.
