This feature originally appeared in the Spring edition of the Cal Sports Quarterly. The Cal Athletics flagship magazine features long-form sports journalism at its finest and provides in-depth coverage of the scholar-athlete experience in Berkeley. Printed copies are mailed four times a year to Bear Backers who give annually at the Bear Club level (currently $600 or more). For more information on how you can receive a printed version of the Cal Sports Quarterly at home, send an email to CalAthleticsFund@berkeley.edu or call (510) 642-2427.



Being a student-athlete at a school like Cal can be inspiring in a number of ways. But for Golden Bear lacrosse freshman Maryn Macha, it was time spent volunteering on Southern California beaches where she found her source of motivation in life.
 
Last summer through an organization called Life Rolls On, Macha helped paraplegics enjoy adaptive surfing, giving them a sense of what it's like to ride waves in the ocean.
 
Macha wanted to be a part of a community of people that appreciates all aspects of life, and she found a perfect match in Life Rolls On. Introduced to the organization by her cousin, she learned to help people who cannot walk experience something they didn't think was previously possible.
 
"The first time I volunteered with Life Rolls On, it was extremely eye opening and sparked my interest in rehabilitation and my passion to help others who need extra support like these adaptive athletes," Macha said.
 
One such person who stood out for his uplifting and positive approach to live went by the nickname, "Juice," and provided one of the many reasons that made this experience so enlightening for Macha.
 
"He was such a lively, hilarious man with a stellar attitude," she said. "After every wave he caught, he would yell 'boo-yah' and hold up a shaka 'hang loose' sign. He's definitely one of the memorable ones."
 
The process of adaptive surfing begins with the surfboards that are designed with handrails on both sides. The surfers are placed either on their stomachs or sitting up with a volunteer on the back of the board for stability. The team of volunteers spread out in the water and create a pathway for the adaptive athletes to surf through. This pathway is especially important in case a board is tipped over or thrown off course.
 
Macha said regardless of the way in which surfers are situated, it didn't take away from the rush of adrenaline and excitement they feel when they catch a wave and ride it into shore.
 
Volunteering with Life Rolls On requires more than just good intentions, Those helping support the surfboards must commit to long days – often 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. – and the endurance necessary to provide the surfing experience.
 
"The physical aspect is the most difficult part, as it requires strength and stamina," Macha said. "However, at the end of the long day, you hardly notice the aching in your legs because of the joy on the surfers' faces."   
 
Macha and Life Rolls On were even joined by some celebrity presence, as well. Two-time Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Jason Mraz is a big advocate of Life Rolls On and often attends the events, joining LRO and the adaptive surfers in the water.
 
The next opportunity on Macha's radar to volunteer is LRO's "They Will Skate Again" this summer. This event will help disabled people of all ages skate at the famous Venice Beach skate park.
 
Although she hasn't been able to participate as much as she would like on the lacrosse field due to injury, spending time on the sidelines has allowed her to further progress her career goals.
 
"I have spent much of my freshman season in the training room," Mach said. "However, it has given me the opportunity to shadow my trainer and see the many hours he puts in with my team. It has helped me gain some experience that I could transfer over to an internship or a job in the future.  Hopefully, I can get an internship with my physical therapist over the summer or shadow him to gain more knowledge."
 
While Macha doesn't compare her lacrosse injuries to what the surfers she helped go through every day, she sees how any sort of injury or disability can take a toll on an athlete, especially on the mental side through the rehabilitation process. Her time helping LRO has allowed her to put her injury into perspective, and it's also given her the opportunity to help her teammates when they find themselves on the trainer's table. When times get tough, she remembers the people she met through LRO and how they live each day with optimism and confidence, and that has helped her reflect on her situation. 
 
"These people have had struggles far worse than my own and are still able to love their lives and appreciate every day," Macha said. "Although some days can be frustrating, they remind me just how lucky I am to come to a place like Cal and be surrounded by top trainers and doctors, as well as on a team with such supportive people."
 
Ironically, Macha's time in the training room is helping in her career goal to become a rehabilitation specialist, gaining firsthand knowledge and seeing Cal's athletic trainers in action. Ultimately, she plans to take anatomy classes and similar courses to better understand the different healing methods and how to prevent injuries. 
 
"Cal has many programs that offer me so many different opportunities to explore various athletic and academic interests," she said. "I am so fortunate to be able to attend Cal in order to pursue my dream. I am confident that Cal will equip me with the necessary tools to succeed with my career goals."
 
Macha has plenty of options, whether it be lacrosse or occupational therapy, to make a positive impact.