For Kylene Aziz, a third-term Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) student at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) in San Marcos, CA, the U.S. Open Adaptive Surfing Championships represents more than a volunteer experience. It’s where her journey into occupational therapy (OT) began.
From September 4–7, 2025, Aziz returned to the Oceanside Pier in Oceanside, CA, for the 8th Annual U.S. Open Adaptive Surfing Championships, with a sense of purpose, gratitude and a deepened passion for her field.
Aziz first volunteered at this event in 2022. She met USAHS students and hadn’t heard of occupational therapy at that point. “I looked into the field, and it matched up with everything important to me, everything I was interested in learning,” she recalls.
Discovering her passion
Before finding OT, Aziz majored in public health and Spanish in her undergraduate studies. She knew she wanted to pursue a helping profession and explored a range of careers, like nursing and teaching, but nothing quite hit the mark.
“When I discovered OT, it seemed like the perfect blend of medical, teaching and caregiving, and you have the opportunity to make a big difference in people’s lives,” she shares.
That first adaptive surfing event in 2022, and Aziz’s return in 2023, opened more than a door; it paved the way for her future.
OT in action on the sand
Over time, the U.S. Open Adaptive Surfing Championships have become a meaningful part of USAHS culture. For OT and physical therapy (PT) students, the event is often a highlight of their academic experience, giving them a chance to apply classroom skills in a hands-on, real-world setting. From helping athletes transfer from wheelchairs to surfboards to assisting them in and out of the water, students play a vital role in supporting athletes and ensuring a safe and smooth competition.
As a student volunteer at this year’s competition, Aziz was a part of the beach transfer team, helping athletes, many of whom use wheelchairs, get in and out of the water during their heats.
“They’re amazing athletes, so to be able to help them in any way is an honor in itself,” Aziz says. She shares that sometimes the volunteers help the athletes mid-heat so they can get back in and catch another wave.
For Aziz, volunteering at the event is an example of OT in real life, an opportunity to support people in their passions. “It’s nice for students to interact with individuals who might need OT services in settings beyond a hospital,” she explains.
A supportive community
Beyond competition, the event fosters a vibrant, welcoming environment. “It’s been great to get to know the community. It’s a tight-knit group and everyone is kind,” Aziz shares.
One meaningful moment for her has been seeing the event come full circle in her own life, especially after taking classes with professors she first met on the beach, like Dr. Maureen Johnson, associate professor of occupational therapy at USAHS and Director of Classification for the U.S. Open of Adaptive Surfing.
She had Dr. Mo last term for a skills and techniques course. “She’s a great, great teacher. I met her at these events before I started in the program, so to have interacted with her in this setting, then learned from her in class and now be back here is pretty special,” Aziz says.
“Supporting this event allows our students to merge classroom knowledge with meaningful, hands-on experience,” says Dr. Johnson. “The skills they gain there, along with the connections they make, are invaluable to their growth as compassionate, skilled healthcare professionals.”
University focused on impact
As the main title sponsor for the fifth consecutive year, USAHS plays a central role in bringing the U.S. leg of the worldwide tour to life. For Aziz, that commitment spoke volumes.
“To have an event like this marked on the calendar—to help put it on—told me a lot about what the school values,” Aziz explains. “Being here today reaffirms my path. I was excited to come back as a student with a bit more knowledge. Hopefully next year, I’ll know even more.”
In the world of adaptive sports, OT is essential. Aziz argues that to watch what can happen when people are on your side and rooting for you is powerful. “OT is valuable for people who enjoy sports like surfing, snowboarding, activities you might think you can’t do with a spinal cord injury. We’re here as OTs saying, ‘Oh yes, you can.’”
As for what’s next? Aziz smiles, “I’m really excited to be here and can’t wait to come back in the years to follow. I feel lucky to be a part of this.”
