Adaptive Surfing- Disability given a Way to Keep Hanging 10 WITHOUT 10

Scott Metcalfe speaks on Adaptive Surfing  and the other programs developing to support disabled persons and their rehabilitation through athletics. Scott shares his warm aloha and insights into a Better World. 3-11-24

Summary & Full Timestamped Transcript Below.

[00:03 → 05:34]
Introduction and Guest Background
Jason Schwartz hosts the Neutral Zone Maui show on KAKU 88.5 FM and Akaku Maui Community Media. The initial plan was to feature Councilman Gabe Johnson, but due to scheduling conflicts, Jason introduces a surprise guest: Scott Thomas Metf, known as “Scooter.”

• Scott shares his background as a former competitive ultramarathon runner, once running 103 miles within 24 hours at the national championship level. He attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

• Jason met Scott years ago during his brother’s County Council campaign and notes Scott’s resilience following a serious accident, which did not stop him from pursuing passions and raising his personal standards.

• [05:34 → 17:47]
  Adaptive Surfing and Athletic Inclusion Movement
  Scooter is preparing to compete in the Adaptive Surfing World Championship in Byron Bay, Australia—part of an emerging international movement promoting adaptive athletics for disabled individuals, particularly in surfing.

• The championship is in its third season and features five global events with a prize pool exceeding $55,000 distributed among the top four finishers. Scooter narrowly missed placing last year by finishing fifth.

• Byron Bay is likened to Australia’s Honolua Bay, a well-known surf spot, and features a vibrant cultural scene, including the presence of musician Xavier Rudd.

• Adaptive surfing is on track to become a Paralympic sport, following mainstream surfing’s recent Olympic recognition.

• Maui is represented by several key athletes including Joshy Bogle, a bilateral amputee surfer, and Aaron Puls, a blind world champion.

• Adaptive surfing categories include:

  • Standing (Upper Limb Disabilities): Surfers with congenital defects or amputations surf standing up.

  • Below Knee Amputee (BKA): Scooter’s category, where surfers stand on the board.

  • Above Knee Amputee: Most compete prone on the board due to loss of leg function.

  • Kneeling (AKK): Surfers are pushed into waves by helpers called “pushers” and “receivers” to assist with wave catching.

  • Sit Wave Ski: Similar to kayaking or sit-surfing, using specialized equipment.

  • Blind/No Vision (BNV): Competitors surf with assistance due to vision impairment.

• The judging system follows the World Surf League (WSL) model. The timing of Scooter’s trip coincides with a WSL event in Portugal, featuring Kelly Slater, a legendary 12-time world champion and noted endurance athlete.

• [17:47 → 26:01]
  Scooter’s Injury, Recovery, and Motivation
  Scooter details his traumatic injury—crushing his tibia and fibula in a vehicle rollover accident—and the improbability of his survival. He credits:

• Exceptional healthcare at Maui Memorial Hospital, with staff like Dr. Airs and Dr. Smith.

• A strong support system including friends, musicians, and family.

• Personal motivation inspired by Hawaiian cultural values, particularly the mantra “I mua” (to strive forward), adopted from IMU Physical Therapy.

• Use of meditation, community support groups, and grounding rituals to maintain mental and emotional balance.

• His philosophy emphasizes gratitude, resilience, and the privilege of engaging with nature—especially the ocean.

• [26:01 → 31:56]
  Environmental Concerns: Olowalu and Toxic Waste Issues
  The conversation shifts to local environmental concerns about toxic waste disposal near Olowalu, a historically sacred Hawaiian site and critical marine breeding ground.

• Jason and Scooter discuss the controversy over designating Olowalu as a temporary toxic dump site despite its proximity to vital watersheds and the reef.

• Scooter personally surveyed the reef, finding it already severely damaged by sediment runoff and past activities—notably, the coral system near Olowalu was largely dead before recent fires or toxic dumping.

• They highlight that Olowalu is a significant breeding ground for manta rays and other marine life, making the issue especially sensitive.

• Concerns include:

  • Potential leaching of toxins into the ocean and groundwater.

  • Risks associated with transporting hazardous materials over long distances via trucks, with exposure to wind and weather.

• Despite uncertainty about all risks, both express strong support for better containment and handling of waste, emphasizing that proper containerization could mitigate many problems.

• [31:56 → 40:25]
  Community Stewardship and Island Culture
  Scooter and Jason reflect on the importance of respecting and caring for Maui’s land and ocean, highlighting:

• The need to preserve surf spots and beach parks, which are essential to Maui’s identity and economy.

• The idea of establishing stewards or caretakers for every beach park on Maui to maintain cleanliness and safety.

• The cultural imperative to honor Hawaiian traditions, language, and place names (e.g., Puʻu Olaʻi, a volcanic cone and Red Hill near Lahaina).

• The impact of mainland attitudes and behaviors, urging locals to avoid bringing those into the island’s Polynesian culture.

• Emphasis on grassroots environmental action such as trash cleanups and community engagement, but also advocating for paid positions and better funding for these efforts.

• [40:25 → 49:44]
  Governance, Funding Challenges, and Social Issues
  The discussion turns to political and social challenges facing Maui:

• Scooter praises Mayor Rick Bissen for accessibility and willingness to engage with constituents, though notes some frustration with bureaucratic inertia on environmental issues.

• They discuss budgetary constraints affecting park rangers, police, and healthcare facilities, highlighting vacancies and underfunding.

• Suggestions to improve funding include:

  • Taxing billionaires and high earners over $400,000.

  • Engaging churches and community organizations in funding efforts.

• The importance of local food production as a basic necessity is raised, critiquing imports like avocados from Mexico sold on Maui, which undercuts local agriculture.

• Scooter shares his personal health journey, including a 22-day detox and nutritional cleanse guided by Dr. Malik Cotter, promoting a high alkaline diet, gut health, and regular physical activity for disease prevention.

• [49:44 → 54:45]
  Politics and Social Commentary
  Scooter expresses his views on the current U.S. political climate:

• Criticism of divisive political figures, including Donald Trump, and the need for voting with conscience and promoting democracy over autocracy.

• Frustration with the two-party system and skepticism toward mainstream politicians.

• Calls for grassroots organizing and better civic engagement to elect leaders who uphold Pono (righteousness, balance).

• Emphasizes unity, cultural celebration, and the healing power of community and music as antidotes to societal racism and division.

• [54:45 → 55:51]
  Closing Remarks and Invitation to Follow Up
  Jason thanks Scooter for his insights and contributions, emphasizing the value of open dialogue in the Neutral Zone forum, which reaches audiences locally and globally.

• They invite viewers to follow Scooter’s participation in the Byron Bay Adaptive Surfing Championship and future updates.

• The show closes with gratitude and a commitment to continuing meaningful conversations about community, environment, and resilience.

Key Highlights and Insights

Timeline of Events & Plans

Definitions and Terms

Summary

This interview with Scott “Scooter” Metcalfe offers an inspiring narrative of resilience, community engagement, and cultural stewardship. Despite a life-altering injury, Scooter has redefined his athleticism through adaptive surfing on the world stage, advocating for disabled individuals’ inclusion in sports and recreation. Rooted deeply in Hawaiian values, he champions environmental care, especially concerning Maui’s sacred sites and natural resources, while calling for systemic reforms in governance and social health. The conversation bridges personal recovery, local activism, and global athleticism, underscoring the power of determination, culture, and collective responsibility.

Summary