Something Special Happening at Gnome Surf in Little Compton

Families with autistic and disabled children are flocking to Gnome Surf, based in Little Compton, Rhode Island.

There they experience "surf therapy," a program that's changing the lives of those children, along with their parents and siblings.

Founder Chris Antao has appeared previously on Townsquare Sunday, but he has returned along with COO Jen Potter to talk about the tremendous growth of the organization over the past couple of years.

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Gnome Surf opened its doors in 2015 and later was certified by the Commonwealth as a 501c nonprofit agency.

During its early years, Gnome Surf was working with about 400 youngsters.

"Fast-forward a few years to right now, and we are providing more than 10,000 sessions this season at five different beaches," Antao said. "We're not only focusing on the athlete, we're focusing on the entire family. We're getting everyone involved to bring out the best in that athlete, and we've seen a lot of success with it."

Potter said her job at Gnome Surf involves a little bit of everything.

"We've grown very big, very fast, so I help with day-to-day tasks, also with the Women's Group, I teach lessons, and spend a lot of time in the water," she said. "It's really awesome."

Many of Gnome's Surf volunteers come from the organization's Youth Mentorship Program. Antao said they started at ages 12 to 14, receiving surfing instruction with an emphasis on treating others with kindness and as equals.

"Now, they are talented young men and women who are doing great work now, and want to dedicate their lives to this vocation," he said.

Antao said word is getting out about Gnome Surf. Occupational therapists, doctors, social workers and psychologists have also joined the program seeking to learn about surf therapy, and the social and emotional benefits it brings to autistic and disabled children.

Gnome Surf is a member of the International Surf Therapy Organization.

If you would like to donate or volunteer for Gnome Surf, you can do so at GnomeSurf.com.

If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.