Athletes from around the globe gathered this past weekend at Waikiki to compete in AccesSurf’s 2025 Hawaii Adaptive Surfing Championships, an event dedicated to showcasing resilience and ability amid physical challenges.
Now in its 17th year, the internationally recognized competition draws more than 90 adaptive surfers from countries including the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Costa Rica, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The championships are part of the Association of Adaptive Surfing Professionals (AASP) World Tour and feature multiple divisions to accommodate a wide range of disabilities.
Among the competitors was Alina Garbuzov, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California San Diego. Garbuzov recounted her journey from a life-changing injury to discovering adaptive sports. “I was rock climbing almost every week during graduate school when I fell about sixty feet and sustained a spinal cord injury at L1,” she said. “It was a very different lifestyle after that — I lost my mobility and felt lost. Adaptive sports opened new doors for me. When people introduced me to surfing, I realized that this was still possible.”
Chris Astill, visiting from Australia, shared a similar story of transformation. “I had a catastrophic spinal cord injury three years ago after a paragliding accident,” Astill explained. “Surfing gives me a sense of freedom — I can move in the water much like I used to.” Astill also recently went skydiving while on Oahu, demonstrating a zest for life beyond his injury.
The event is supported by numerous volunteers who assist in every aspect of the competition and provide accommodations for the athletes. Volunteer Corinne Tiburzi, participating for the third year, emphasized the community spirit of the event. “It’s amazing to watch athletes with different disabilities overcome challenges to compete in the water,” Tiburzi said. “There’s a real sense of community here.”
AccesSurf aims not only to foster competitive spirit but also to offer participants a meaningful Hawaiian cultural experience, including a traditional welcome and cultural activities. Cara Short, an AccesSurf representative, explained, “We want everyone to experience the richness of Hawaii alongside the competition.”
The championships celebrate ability, inclusion, and the breaking of barriers within ocean sports — all in the spirit of Duke Kahanamoku, the legendary Hawaiian surfer and Olympic swimmer. Founded in 2006, AccesSurf continues to empower individuals with disabilities through accessible water programs, carrying forward Kahanamoku’s legacy of aloha and inclusion.
Chris Astill reflected on the competition’s impact: “The level of competition is high, and it’s inspiring to be around these high-performing athletes. They show not only how to surf but how to live fully.”