Disability doesn’t limit Truckee surfer

Jeff Andrews, who is disabled, doesn’t let that stop him from surfing. Photo/Provided

Jeff Andrews of Truckee took first place in the assisted division of the 10th annual Adaptive Surf Competition during Duke’s OceanFest in Honolulu last month.

The 27-year-old in 2014 was an avid snowboarder in Tahoe. In an accident at Sugar Bowl in March of that year, Andrews suffered an injury to his spinal cord, leaving him without the use of his legs and limited dexterity in his hands and arms.

Since the injury, Andrews has spent thousands of hours concentrating on his rehabilitation. He works out daily at the CR Johnson Healing Center, a fitness and wellness facility operated by Truckee’s High Fives Foundation. The nonprofit has awarded Andrews a series of grants toward his recovery goals, including personal training with world renown healer, Alejandra Monslave in Maui.

While in Hawaii in March 2016, Andrews began surfing regularly. With an injury such as his, Andrews requires the assistance of another waterman who helps push him as the wave approaches. He remains on his stomach in the prone position but can maneuver the surfboard moving along with the wave.