AdventureMind 2019

My name is Joshua Loya. I am a 100% blind surfing champion, and I want your help. In August of 2016, I quit my job to pursue martial arts and adventure living full-time. It wasn’t until after I devoted my life to living as a professional adventurer that I received formal surf training. Despite my short time surfing, I became the 2018 USA Surfing National Visually Impaired Champion and the 2018 US Open Adaptive Surfing Championships Visually Impaired Champion. I want to build on my success as a competitive surfer, as well as my over a decade of martial arts experience, to help others live a more rich and vibrant life. Here’s what your donation will fund.

 

I have several surf competitions scheduled for 2019. I would like to compete in more than is listed, but these are the most important ones.

 

USA Surfing National Adaptive Surfing Championships (Required to keep my spot on Team USA)
Hawaiian Adaptive Surfing Championships
US Open Adaptive Surfing Championships
Stance ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championships (In 2018, the USA Surfing Adaptive Surf Team of which I was a member, took team gold for the first time since the World ASC began.)
 

In addition to surf contests, I have several martial arts events scheduled for 2019:

 

2019 Enter the Tao JKDA Texas Retreat
2019 Martial Arts Industry Association Martial Arts Super Show
2019 Jeet Kune Do Athletic Association Expo (I taught nunchucks at the 2017 expo.)
Jiu jitsu, judo, and karate tournaments as time and financial resources allow.
 

I have regular training costs connected to surfing, strength and conditioning, and martial arts. I also must pay for transportation, equipment, and nutritional supplements to fuel my body after my challenging training sessions.

 

My goal is to keep pushing the envelope of what is possible for a 100% blind athlete. Despite my success, in my brief time pursuing this 24/7, I am still not able to cover all my costs out of pocket. Your donation will make it possible for me to keep going.

 

I also have a long-term goal. As I continue to gain success in surfing, martial arts, and other adventure living pursuits, I intend to build an organization to more effectively help others who wish to have an adventure lifestyle, regardless of disabilities or life challenges. Adaptive athletes, in particular, often have elevated costs beyond our able-bodied peers. For example, in order for me to surf safely, I need somebody in the water with me, spotting waves and looking out for other surfers in the lineup. Other people have a much steeper learning curve and need extra training or support because they are among the first with their condition to pursue their chosen sport or activity. Even those without obvious disabilities have challenges that make extreme sports and adventure living seem out of reach.

 

The first goal of $7700 will cover expenses associated with the USA Surfing National Adaptive Surfing Championships ($1000) and all of the costs required to get my team to the Hawaiian Adaptive Surfing Championships ($6000). My team consists of me, my coach (Coach Pat Weber of the San Diego Surfing Academy), and my wife (Andrea, affectionately referred to as the Warrior Princess). (The extra $700 is to account for the fees paid to Go Fund Me.)

 

I may update the goal amount as we close in on this first milestone. For now, please know that every dollar you invest up to $7700 will fund my participation in the USA Surfing National Adaptive Surfing Championships and the Hawaiian Adaptive Surfing Championships.

 

Thank you for your support. This is bigger than me. This is bigger than surfing or martial arts. I might be one of the first in this effort, but I plan to bring others with me. Thank you for helping to spread the message that adventure is a state of mind. Mahalo!