You might have seen the original post a couple weeks ago about a local volunteering opportunity in Huntington Beach – Life Rolls On – that Murray Company’s industry affiliate, Brymax Construction, is a supporter of. In fact, Brymax’s CEO, Michael Willems, is a dear friend of Jessie Billauer, who founded Life Rolls On two decades ago. On the website Jesse reflects, “I created Life Rolls On because everyone living with paralysis deserves to feel the exhilarating freedom that surfing brings to me.” Mr. Willems offers his help in various ways, including offering the company vehicles to help transport all the event tents, flags, tables and special wheelchair-accessible walkways for the stars of the event.
“When you don’t give up, you cannot fail.”
Safety Admin Katie Tornblom and Director of Marketing Marta Martin and her family volunteered along with a few hundred others. They bumped into volunteers from Brymax, Hensel Phelps and McCarthy Building Companies, too. Their objective as shallow water and mid-water volunteers was to ensure the safe passage from the deep water to the shore of the 10 adaptive athletes assigned to their team. Team Black was led by Ted, a 20-year veteran of this event, and consisted of 2 MC personnel and over 20 of Juniper Serra High School’s water polo team! It’s fair to say that Team Black had the most experienced swimmers of all the teams, safely navigating the surfboard of the Teams’ assigned disabled/physically challenged athletes although some wipe outs were inevitable. It was an awesome and memorable day in the unusually warm waters of the Pacific ocean.
Meanwhile here are some event highlights and inspiration to remind us why life and health are so precious…
Top: Volunteers lineup for the morning huddle and safety briefing. Middle: Team Black waits patiently for the perfect wave and conditions. Bottom: Team Black in full force – Katie Tornblom, Marta Martin take a knee in the bottom row, right.
Ted, the group leader, guides Kevin, one of the group’s 10 athletes to shore. Eight years ago, Kevin dove into a shallow pool at the age of 21 which resulted in his permanent paralysis. The smile on his face that day was something special.
Top: Luke Langbehn, a Project Manager from McCarthy Building Co. and Jacob, a friend of Brymax Construction. Top Right: Katie Tornblom, Marta Martin, KJ Lodge of McCandless Tile and Luke from McCarthy. Bottom: JSerra water polo players from Team Black escort an athlete past the break; a team effort.
Walter’s spirit was infectious; it reinvigorated the entire group. His gratitude was immense and his joy of being “free!” in the water was unforgettable. The team enjoyed some laughs with Walter, poking friendly fun when he insisted on surfing in socks and sandals. The team reminded him that he can’t walk on water. 😊
If you’re interested in volunteering with your family, colleagues or friends next year, mark your calendar now for Saturday 8/22/25. This event is entirely at your discretion and not affiliated with Murray Company (which just serves as the messenger). Online registration for volunteers typically opens 1 month prior. And if prefer to not wait that long, registration is now open for this same event in La Jolla on Saturday, 9/21/24. Apparently, this event has “the best waves, the best water conditions and the best beach”. Read more here and RSVP if you wish.
Additional event highlights and videos are here:
Life Rolls on Pictures 2024
Password: mes39bUS
https://murraycompany.egnyte.com/fl/VF6YCFUC5T
Hope to see you at the next event. Feel free to contact Marta Martin with any Q’s ([email protected]).
