SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Physically challenged kids from around the country hit the water in San Diego Friday.
Their physical challenges have had them -- and their parents -- riding an emotional wave for years. But on Friday there were huge smiles as kids from around the country were treated to a free day of surfing.
Lorna Day's son Sam lost his leg three years ago to cancer. Keeping him motivated to stay active hasn't been easy.
"He's like everyone else. And he's capable, he's inspired. There's so many incredible athletes here that it's heavenly," Lorna said.
The event is sponsored by the San Diego-based Challenged Athletes Foundation, which puts on a full weekend of events for these amazing kids, who appreciate every second of it.
"It's really fun because I can be with kids that are amputees like me, and it's so inspiring and awesome and all these kids are so cool. They're amazing," Sam said.
One of those amazing kids is 6-year-old Gianna, who was determined to stand up, and she did it. It was a picture-perfect moment for her mom that also caught the attention of surfing legend Rob Machado.
"I don't think I could do that -- stand up on a wave with one leg. That's really challenging," he said.
Machado, who has won several major surfing competitions, was one of the volunteer surf instructors today, and he clearly enjoyed the event as much as the kids.
"The smiles today, they're going to last a long time for me. Just seeing them stoked and riding waves, just, it's really, really good," he said.
About 50 kids hit the water. A swell time for a group of kids determined to not let their physical challenges hold them back.
"It was awesome. It was sunny, fun, encouraging to see all the other kids. It was just so awesome," Sam said.