Autistic surfer is a gifted tube rider

COURTESY QUIKSILVER Clay Marzo's favorite board length is 6 feet 1. "But it doesn't matter what board you put under his feet," says Adam Klevin, the cinematographer for "Just Add Water," a film about Marzo.

[NoBStupid]

This story is journalism at it's best: there is good and bad happening in the world, this being one of the best things, and most interesting. The reporter didn't have to make anything up, or hide something. Just put it in a structure people can follow. So unlike the stunt Finnegan of Kauai (IMHO, sans H) pulled to get on the front page of the SB with a too-late, cut and paste, hatch and hide the timeline of events, etc., condo story. Butt, come to think of it, most male journalists are more butthead about showing up in the spot light than they are about getting it right to begin with. Women journalists are more balanced. As editors, too. IMHO.

[mini]

GO Clay !!!
So many people try to bring him down.
Keep doin' your thing !

[Matt Syms]

Good on you Clay. Now you can just be you and won't have to worry about conforming to how others think you should act. You're a legend mate. All the best....

[Asbergers sceptic]

As a school taecher with the experience of several "Asbergers" students over the past few years, I view the "syndrome" with a fair amount of scepticism. We are all unique in our own way and I see it as an excuse for behaviour that is a little"left of centre".
Get over it Clay and just be...whoever you are , without a dodgy label!!

[LOV clay]

omg that is so sad about clay!but it is so sweet that he is doing that surf event!! he is such a cutie!! And one of the BEST surfers of ALL TIME!!
I absolutly love him!!!!!

[fabulous]

There are natural, no side effects, cheap treatments to help him with his social behaviour such as L-theanine, B vitamins, DMG and others. Just hope they dont put him into dangerous pharmaceutical treatments that will mess him up! Someone tells his family about it!

[Autism Dad]

I am a surfer and have been since I was very young. My son has autism. It is more severe than Clay's, but not to the extent of being nonverbal. My son LOVES the beach. He hasn't gotten brave enough to swim yet, but I have had him standing up on a boogie board and on a surfboard. I think that being in the water is extremely therapeutic -- for anyone. Whoever has had a "just to get wet" surf knows this. I am thankful for Clay and his family for exposing themselves to the scrutiny of the movie process. I am also thankful for people like Israel Paskowitz for starting Surfers Healing.

PS -- I grew up when a frontside air was considered pretty radical. The fact that kids do 360 backside airs now blows my mind. I may be 36, but I can still do basic frontside airs. Until Slater stops pulling airs, I'll keep trying to get better.

[Dennis M Mccullough]

http://o-rflix.observer-reporter.com/MediaIte... #
Yeah but is the water warm enough?

[joanna]

incredible

[carmenforu]

That is really great that clay has his family support. He is really talented. Many people with autism love out door activities. I have a few kids that love to go horse back riding.Yeah Clay!!!!(:

[mellowmom]

To the teacher who can't spell "teacher" or "Asperger", gee, I wonder why children with Asperger's struggle in school? Couldn't be lack of understanding or professionalism, clearly.
Go Clay and mom Jill!

[carmenforu]

mellowmom wrote:

To the teacher who can't spell "teacher" or "Asperger", gee, I wonder why children with Asperger's struggle in school? Couldn't be lack of understanding or professionalism, clearly.
Go Clay and mom Jill!

I agree go Clay and mom. I am sure the teacher's spelling was an oversight and typo. I commend everyone within this profession as well as the parents. I am a Behavior Specialist for children of ASD. I am sure that the teachers misspelled words are not any reflection on the development of ASD.
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