Waves on canvas, waves on sail. So the sea really belongs to everyone

“In cities without a sea … who knows to whom people turn to find their balance … perhaps to the moon …” (Mahoko Yoshimoto). The sea has always been reflection, emotion, primal pleasure that comes from simple contact with sand, with water. It is even more than that: it is movement, energy, gathering, fun and contact with one’s own body.

And that is why the sea is an invaluable resource that must be accessible to all, a key assumption that took shape with the “Waves on Canvas, Waves on Sail” project proposed by the social cooperative “le Briccole Special.” This experience was made possible thanks to the availability of ASD “Nimbus Surfing Club” and collaboration with the association “semplice…mente genitori,” the non-profit foundation “Opera Santa Rita Villa Nesti” (Via di Mezzo 303, Quarrata, PT) and the association “Cuore Speciale difendi il SUO futuro” based in Pietrasanta.

The Social Cooperative “Le Briccole Special” proposed an educational/recreational path for differently abled children in an environment that can break down physical, psychological and social barriers in order to achieve a natural integration of the children into the local area and community. It is in this context that disability is disengaged from the concept of limitation, thanks to appropriate aids such as the Jobs wheelchair, which allows children with physical disabilities to enter the water with ease, and the presence of instructors and educators who are trained and attentive to the peculiarities of each child.

Participants, with no holds barred, were able to experience a variety of water sports from surfing, yoga both on the beach and at the shore, sup, sailing, patino, pedal boats, and more. However, this project at the beach also wanted to give each boy a chance to express himself and grow individually in a stimulating environment, so a cardinal space was also dedicated to art. Guided by people from the world of arts, an art workshop was then offered with the opportunity to use various techniques (painting with acrylics, pencils , markers, sponges, etc.) thanks to the materials kindly granted by the “Nimbus Surfing Club” (including tempera, easels, canvases, etc.).

The children were encouraged to express creativity, imagination, manual manipulation and sensory discovery in an environment that allows them to be inspired by the sound of waves and the feeling of feet dipped in sand. The goal of this work enabled the creation of artwork displayed during opening and closing exhibitions of the summer project. The moments of recollection and relaxation under the umbrella where the children could engage in recreation, aggregation, and communication were crowned by a natural pleasure born of simply being together.

By getting to know and be known by people from outside the project, lunchtime sharing moments were fertile ground for spontaneous social inclusion. No longer defined by their own difficulties, but united by the simple desire to experience summer. Given the success and enthusiasm shown by participants, the social cooperative le Briccole Special proposes to extend the initiative for this summer as well, starting June 15, 2019.