A​ ​Walk​ ​On​ ​Water​ ​(“AWOW”)​ ​enables​ ​hundreds​ ​of​ ​children​ ​and​ ​adults​ ​with​ ​special​ ​needs,​ ​along​ ​with their​ ​families,​ ​to​ ​experience​ ​the​ ​thrill​ ​of​ ​surfing​ ​and​ ​its​ ​therapeutic​ ​qualities.​ ​The​ ​organization works​ ​closely​ ​with​ ​local​ ​communities,​ ​businesses​ ​and​ ​its​ ​volunteers​ ​and​ ​watermen—brought together​ ​in​ ​service​ ​of​ ​a​ ​shared​ ​mission—to​ ​help​ ​others​ ​experience​ ​the​ ​calming​ ​and​ ​therapeutic effects​ ​of​ ​the​ ​electrifying,​ ​living​ ​ocean;​ ​and​ ​in​ ​the​ ​process,​ ​showcase​ ​the​ ​best​ ​of​ ​surf​ ​culture. Since​ ​its​ ​launch​ ​in​ ​August​ ​of​ ​2012,​ ​AWOW​ ​has​ ​served​ ​over​ ​1,000​ ​families​ ​and​ ​provided​ ​surf​ ​therapy to​ ​over​ ​2,000​ ​children​ ​and​ ​adults​ ​with​ ​special​ ​needs​ ​and​ ​their​ ​siblings.​ ​Its​ ​goal​ ​is​ ​to​ ​increase​ ​the number​ ​of​ ​Athletes​ ​served​ ​by​ ​at​ ​least​ ​30%​ ​every​ ​year.​ ​The​ ​organization​ ​wants​ ​to​ ​reach​ ​those​ ​most in​ ​need,​ ​who​ ​have​ ​never​ ​had​ ​the​ ​chance​ ​to​ ​experience​ ​the​ ​joy​ ​of​ ​surf​ ​therapy.  www.awalkonwater.org​.