My name is Joshua Loya, and I am a blind adventurer. I need your help, as I pursue international surf competition and build an organization to further adventure opportunities for others. Short version is that I need to raise funds to cover my expenses at the ISA World Para Surfing Championships in Pismo Beach this coming December. Health issues and continued limitations in my economic means prevented me from fundraising as much as I would have liked. Most of the urgency of my issues have been resolved. That said, I’m hoping you can help me in this last ditch effort to cover my expenses and help cover the initial costs of making Adventure Mind, my new nonprofit, official and its own 501C3 entity.

This June, I had an opportunity to compete in a pro surf contest in Hawaii, the Hawaii Adaptive Surfing Championships, held at Queen’s Surf Break, Waikiki, Hawaii. The contest ran from June 7-11, and it was the first stop of the inaugural Adaptive Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour. I competed against other completely blind surfers in this historic contest and championship tour. I traveled there with my wife, syncing up with my coach for the contest, Mike Spikerman, once I landed. John White, my usual coach, was not available for the Hawaii contest. With Mike Spikermańs help, I took 3rd place.

During the contest, I was run over by one of the other surfers in my division. What I didńt realize is that I sustained a concussion. I did not take the normal precautions regarding aftercare for my concussion, and I experienced a seizure which lasted approximately 20 seconds, as a result. While recovering from the concussion and the seizure, I contracted covid and sustained extended physical and cognitive effects.

Before I contracted covid, but while I was still recovering from the concussion and seizure, I was able to score well enough at the USA Surfing National Adaptive Surfing Championships to retain my position on Team USA. I also, after recovering from covid, took 4th place at the US Open Adaptive Surfing Championships, the other stop on the AASP tour. I am mostly recovered now.

My last contest of the year is the ISA World Para Surfing Championships. Surfing is not in the Paralympics, but if it was, the athletes that make it to ISA Worlds are the surfers that would be there. Surfing is on schedule to be in the Paralympics in 2028. I intend to be on Team USA when it is. My next step is with Team USA in Pismo in December.

All through this, I’ve been slowly working my way through paperwork to make Adventure Mind a real organization to help other people pursue surfing and adventure opportunities. The articles of incorporation are done. All that remains is for the federal paperwork and processing. Rush processing is about $800. I have $350 pledged, and another $150 saved of my own money. I still need to cover the remaining costs. After this, my priorities are to cover my expenses (mostly travel) for ISA. Depending on how costly my travel expenses are, I intend to invest any remainder in building a web site for myself and for the Adventure Mind organization.

I started Adventure Mind as a hashtag when I quit my technology job. Then it was a podcast that explored the idea of intentional adversity. I intend to revive the podcast as I leverage my experience as a competitive surfer and martial artist to provide resources for all who wish to join me in cultivating an adventure mindset. This includes people, like me, who are blind or visually impaired, as well as those with other disabilities and life challenges. At the moment, I’m providing martial arts lessons, regardless of my students’ ability to pay. I’m also giving presentations and keynote addresses in which I share my story and what I hope for Adventure Mind. I have plans for so much more. Those plans will be more effective with your help.

I have been surfing since 2017, and I have been competing almost as long. I’ve done well in competition, with several trophies and medals to show for it. That said, to me, surfing is much more than competition. It is about enjoying the present moment and appreciating the beauty of the ocean. I have organized my entire life around using adventure to enrich the lives of others. This hasn’t paid well financially, even if it has brought me its own reward. I previously ran a martial arts school that I shut down in 2020, and my income has been especially limited since then. I’m only going to be able to continue surf competition with your help. I’m only going to be able to make Adventure Mind more than a hashtag or a podcast or a movement, if I have the baseline funds to make it official with friends and allies. I dont’ care about the money, but I do need it to do the work that matters to me. Please support me and Adventure Mind. Will you please send a blind guy surfing?

Drew Phelps

Chris Campbell

Holli Clark

Lori Motis

Amanda Piepgras

Clydene Nee

Keith Kretkowski

Drew Phelps (Me)

Ana Jacob

Don Taylor

Gregory Mitchell

David Casler

Anonymous

Mark Colman

Christopher Waker

Jamie Schaible

Katie Frank

Send A Blind Guy Surfing

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Send A Blind Guy Surfing

Still $1,160 to go. Help us build momentum.