Meet Patrick & Lillie Flynn
The Flynn family has played such a crucial role within our Surf Instructor volunteer group and our AccesSurf Ohana as a whole. Patrick, Lillie and Connor have been a strong force that go above and beyond; continuously eager and happy to help. Lillie has an incredible presence in the water and can make and kiddo she takes out feel comfortable. We can always count on Connor and Patrick to take out anyone and everyone as their strength in surfing matches the size of their hearts.
They truly embody everything that AccesSurf represents and we are so thankful to have them as a part of our ‘ohana!
AND Congratulations to Lillie and Connor who are 2021 Graduates of Chaminade University of Honolulu! We are so proud of you! We know you guys will do big things!
1. Tell us a little about yourselves.
Lillie:
Aloha, my name is Lillie, and I am originally from Long Beach, New York. I moved to Hawaii five years ago to attend Chaminade University of Honolulu. I am super excited to graduate this May with degrees in Environmental Science and Business Administration, and two technology minors. In my free time I enjoy surfing, volunteering, hiking, and helping to survey coral reefs.Patrick:
My name is Patrick, and I am from Long Beach, New York, an amazing community just outside of NYC. I was Ocean Lifeguard for the City of Long Beach for 10 seasons and enjoyed every minute of it. I did undergrad at Salve Regina University and got by MBA from Manhattan College. At the end of 2019 I started a job at HMSA on the data analysis and systems team. I really enjoy surfing and playing beach volleyball after work.Connor:
My name is Connor Flynn and I am from Long Beach, New York. Last week, I graduated from Chaminade University of Honolulu!. Next, I’m earning a masters degree in Environmental Data Science at UC Santa Barbara which will hopefully allow me to have a significant and positive impact in conserving Hawaii’s beautiful and diverse ecosystems. For fun, I love to surf and play guitar/ukulele!
2. How did you get started with Accessurf?
Lillie:
I first learned about Accessurf as a college freshman while I was completing an internship with Make-A-Wish Hawaii. When I introduced myself to my coworkers and mentioned how much I enjoy surfing, one of my coworkers, James, asked me to come to an AccesSurf Day at the Beach event.
Patrick:
I saw a news segment about AccesSurf within the first few days of moving to Hawaii and I knew that it was an organization that I wanted to be a part of. Along with my brother and sister, Lillie and Connor, I have been enjoying the day at the beach events for almost 5 years now. The AccesSurf community made us instantly feel like we were home.Connor:
I started with Access Surf around four years ago during my freshman year at Chaminade. My awesome siblings heard about Access Surf and brought me along with them for our first Day at the Beach event.
3. What does AccesSurf mean to you?
Lillie:
AccesSurf is such an amazing way to spend time in the ocean with friends! Everyone has such a positive energy, and truly cares for each other. There’s nothing like seeing the happiness on someone’s face when they catch their first wave. Over the past few years, I have seen AccesSurf truly blossom into the fantastic program that it is today. Both my brothers volunteer as surf instructors as well so it has been a really fun way for us to all surf together as a family and make lots of new surfing friends. The level of trust between the instructor and participant is really powerful. I am so happy to be part of the AccessBuddy Program, and I can’t wait to have our Day at the Beach events again, hopefully sometime soon.Patrick:
I think AccesSurf’s slogan “An Ocean of Possibilities” describes it perfectly. As a group, we get to be creative and experiment with new ways to enjoy the ocean in a way that meets the needs of everyone. I love all the different perspectives that come together. The ocean presents new and exciting challenges every time that we interact with it and that is what keeps us always coming back for more. We all have the potential to do things that we never thought we could accomplish, but sometimes we just need a helping hand. I genuinely believe in the healing ability of the water. The ocean is a gift, and I love sharing that gift with others.Connor:
To me, Access Surf means appreciating the relationships that the ocean forms between us. It means enjoying the water with amazing friends and making memories that last a lifetime.
4. Can you recall your favorite AccesSurf memory?
Lillie:
One of my favorite AccesSurf memories is surfing with a girl named Lily, whose wish with Make-A-Wish was to meet Moana and go surfing. While staying at the Disney resort she met Moana, and I was thrilled to help with her wish by taking her surfing with AccesSurf. Lily could choose to do anything in the world with her wish and she chose to come to AccesSurf. Lily giggled the whole time we were out surfing and it was a very special experience!Patrick:
It is difficult to pick a favorite memory, but I will never forget my first Wounded Warrior event with AccesSurf. I was still a new volunteer and a bit nervous. I was teamed up with a participant that was having a hard time preparing for his session. We took it slow and inched our way into the water. Although he probably wanted to go straight back to the beach, he showed true bravery and determination as we paddled out through the wind and the waves. After attempting to catch a few waves, he made it back to the sand exhausted. When we returned one month later, I barely recognized him. He had a new confidence that made him unstoppable. He offered encouragement to others that were there for the first time and was eager to learn more about the conditions that day and how to adjust for them.Connor:
My favorite Access Surf memory is surfing with Michelle for the first time. Once we met, we immediately clicked and fell into a perfect rhythm. We were in the right place at the right time and caught 3 beautiful waves without trying at all! Every lesson is unique and special, but I will always remember my first surf with Michelle. I am really looking forward to more sessions with her!
5. Anything you want to say to the AccesSurf ‘ohana?
Lillie:
Every time I attend the day at the beach event, I am amazed by the AccesSurf Ohana. The feeling of community and lifelong friendships created at AccesSurf are heartwarming. I’m really looking forward to when we can all see each other again in person and have a huge surfing celebration!
Patrick:
I am truly inspired by the hard work and dedication that goes into these events and I will be forever gratefully that I get to be a part of it! I have gained more from AccesSurf than I could ever pay back.Connor:
I cannot wait to be back at AccesSurf soon, you guys are the best!
