2008 Veterans Surf Clinic

Twelve members of Team Titan - together with their entourage of instructors and supporters - waded into the waves Monday morning at La Jolla Shores to kick off the surfing competition of the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic on Sept. 29.

Team members ranged from Joe Rukavina, the event’s youngest competitor and a veteran of a tour in Iraq, to Jim Miller, a Korean War veteran and long-time San Diego resident.

The athletes received personalized coaching on how to manage the board and then headed out - to try to manage the water. It’s all part of a new program sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs aimed at teaching the vets - who have injuries from amputations to post traumatic stress disorder - new athletic skills and get help with stress and coping skills.