Wheels 2 Water (W2W), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping those who are wheelchair-bound or have spinal cord injuries share the same ocean experiences as others, held a surf event at La Jolla Shores on Aug. 27. Of the 11 riders at the event, some were from other countries and had never even been to the beach before — much less out to surf the waves. Founder Travis Tremble unintentionally established the organization seven years ago after taking his brother-in-law — who is in a wheelchair — out to surf with him and his cousin. After photos were posted on a popular surfing website, he received numerous emails about how to get others with physical limitations out into the water. “We’ve really seen the sport grow throughout the country,” he said. “A guy from New York came out to our very first event to ride and loved it so much that he started an East Coast chapter in New York.” W2W gives those with physical limitations the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to catch the thrill of the ride through “adaptive surfing” — a technique where riders lay down or sit on a surfboard and volunteers, including lifeguards, paramedics and surfers, help them get past the break and into the next wave. “We cater to whatever their needs are,” he said. “Most of them lay down, but not all riders have spinal cord injuries. Some have arthritis, so they have neck mobility and they sit on the board.” The next Wheels to Water surfing event at La Jolla Shores will be held on Oct. 22, and Tremble is planning on the last event of the year to go out with a splash. He is considering hosting a disabled surf contest and enlisting the help of local lifeguards to help with the competition. To volunteer, sponsor or RSVP to ride at the next surf event, visit www.- wheels2water.org.