Shared Adventures Helps Disabled Enjoy Outdoor Activities

The name says it all! What Foster Andersen, founder and CEO, has cultivated over the past 30 years is many Shared Adventures for the disabled community.

The non-profit organizes activities for disabled folks so they can do what they thought they couldn’t. This isn’t just activities like rock-wall climbing, sailing, kayaking, whale watching, gardening and archery. Many disabled people struggle with not feeling capable of doing some of the things that those of us who have not suffered some sort of injury, congenital or birth anomaly take for granted. 

“When I started Shared Adventures, I was filling a void,” said Foster. “The disabled community was so disconnected from itself. I had suffered a spinal cord injury when I was 17 from a motorcycle accident. My two-wheel motorcycle turned into a four-wheel manual chair, so I had to continue to try to do something different every step of the way to expand what my body was capable of. I saw myself as the guinea pig trying things that no other wheelchair user did. I wanted to show that if I can do it, anyone can do it.”
Foster grew up in a beautiful part of upstate New York and his family did all sorts of adventurous activities together. They were a loving family and enjoyed spending time in nature together before his accident. They would camp a lot as a family and were always active.  

“It was in our blood, our bones to do anything together; hunting, skiing, canoeing, sailing, motorbiking. I was always encouraged to try new things and I had a love for inventing new things too,” said Foster.
When he moved to Santa Cruz in 1990, he saw an opportunity to provide better support for the disabled community. His answer walked through the door of an adaptive Physical Education class at Cabrillo College. It was pro surfer, Terry Simms, who asked everyone, “Who wants to go surfing?”  

That next weekend, a big burly volunteer carried Foster down the steps at Pleasure Point, changed him into a wetsuit and carried him into the ocean, gently placing him on a surfboard. Foster looked out over the horizon at the white water of a wave barreling toward him. “That huge wall of water was scary, but I came out the other side shining like a light.” This was the day when Foster found something that would change not only his life, but the lives of many others for the next 30 years to come.

“Terry was on the back of the longboard as we waited for a wave. The anticipation built, and soon enough a perfect wave came along as we were riding high. I felt like a hood ornament on a car. We flew past other surfers cheering us on. It was one of the best experiences of my life!”

Two years later, Shared Adventures of Santa Cruz was born and has since helped countless people with disabilities to enjoy adventures they didn’t realize they could. The organization offers activities where participants enjoy the camaraderie and enriching aspect of various events.

Every summer, the carpenter’s union builds a city on the beach using plywood and 2x4s for platforms to make it easier to get across the sand and into the water for Day on the Beach, which is super-successful thanks to all the Shared Adventures volunteers and their partners at Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

The organization has enhanced the lives of over a thousand individuals in the disabled and special needs community on the Central Coast. Each person has a unique story to tell about how the activities changed their lives.

The aim is to get people to interact socially, doing something they thought they couldn’t do anymore. Once they figure out that they can, they are inspired to do even more. Amazing things open up for them.

They come out of their shells, start talking after being shy or quiet or even get a job – all from being a part of a team event like an outrigger canoe race.  

From a business standpoint, 2023 was one of the best years ever for Shared Adventures. The organization received support from the Omaga Nu, Disney Foundation, Caroline’s Thrift Shop, St. John’s Episcopal Church and many generous individuals. Fundraising in the Santa Cruz Gives campaign brought in over $50,000 – the second highest amount among all the non-profits who participated.

As the organization moves into 2024, the staff and management team are focused on and committed to creating a full-year of fantastic activities, including Day on the Beach and Camp Adventures.