Surfing a success for Martin County Special Olympics

Athletes paddled out Thursday night for Martin County's first Special Olympics surfing competition.

Surfers competed in several heats as the sun set on Stuart Beach.

Surfing is a new sport in Martin County's Special Olympics lineup.

The event is not fully sanctioned yet by the state's Special Olympics committee, so the surfers are only competing for bragging rights, not medals.

In the six weeks since the program started, it's already getting a lot of attention.

Athletes like Craig Wallace quickly learned how to ride the perfect wave.

"You hold on, you stand up and you do your ninja stand," Wallace says, describing the wide stance that helps him stay balanced on his board.

Martin County hopes the state Special Olympics committee will make surfing a fully-sanctioned event so athletes can earn hardware for their hard work.