You can’t help but be inspired when the crew from Life Rolls On come out on the sand at the U.S. Open of Surfing during the Expression Session, where paralyzed surfers brave the water to help raise awareness for spinal cord injury.

Eric Meltvedt of Costa Mesa stood out on the sand watching in amazement when the surfers - who show up each year to surf for a bit between heats - paddled out with the help of volunteers to take on the rough 3-to-5 foot sets.

“This is what this event needs,” he said. “It’s about everybody who wants to surf, who loves to surf.”

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The crowd broke out into applause as the crew was wheeled down in beach wheelchairs, and volunteers lifted them out of the chairs and placed them in the water.

Volunteer Laurie Hamblin stood by to keep guard of one  of the empty wheelchairs as the surfers headed out to sea.

“I think it’s amazing they are so brave, it’s great to be a part of it,” she said. “It’s amazing how much they trust all of us.”

Spectators on the sand watches as Life Rolls On founder Jesse Billauer rode the face of a huge wave, and for a second was lost in the whitewash before the rescue jet ski grabbed him.  

The best part for me was watching young Patrick Ivison ride a few solid waves in, cruising in with the wave all the way to shore. I met Patrick years ago when he first started surfing. The 14-year-old quadrapilegic used to surf with the help of another person, but just in May started going out on his own.

Ivison was shivering as he got of the water, his arms exhausted.

“It was really big,” he said, flashing a mouth full of braces as he smiled. “That last one was the best one of the day. That’s how it usually works.”

He said he loves the surf community, and loves how they’re “so cool and chill, and down to Earth.”

“I love being out there with Life Rolls On and all the people out here. I get to surf with all my best friends.

And of the volunteers who are there to catch him when the whitewash tumbles him under.

“They’re grat, they’re my family,” he said.

Paralyzed surfer Christiaan Bailey, 27, said he’s glad they could show off their stuff in front of the crowds.

“I’m just stoked to be out here supporting the foundation,” he said.

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