Twelve-year-old Nicholas is one active kid. He enjoys hockey, basketball, baseball, and soccer, but there was one activity that the terrain of Michigan prevented him from trying – surfing. When volunteers with the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Michigan asked the athletic youngster what his greatest wish was, he replied that he would like to learn how to surf. Together, he and his wish granters decided the Hawaiian island of Maui would be the perfect place for lessons.

In a display of generosity, UAW-GM sponsored the wish, and the local GM proving grounds employees sent bon-voyage messages to Nicholas on postcards. Nicholas, his mom Kristen, and buddy Fernando began their journey to the Aloha State early with a 4:45 a.m. limousine ride to the airport. Upon their arrival in Kahului, they checked into the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel.

With help from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Hawaii, Nicholas’ time on the island of Maui was filled with excitement from land, sea and air. From the ground, the group watched the sun rise over a dormant volcano called Haleakala. From the air, they added thrill rides into their itinerary by going parasailing and taking a helicopter tour of the island.

The group’s adventures on the sea included the Discover Ka’anapali tour, a day-long catamaran ride that included homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast, swimming, several snorkeling stops, and an on-board barbeque chicken lunch. They also took a submarine ride that submerged them 130 feet below the ocean’s surface for a tour of coral reefs and marine life.

By far though, Nicholas spent the most time surfing. His introduction to the sport came at Goofy Foot Surf School, which provided him with a free two-hour lesson and a guarantee that all beginners will stand and ride a wave in their first lesson. Kristen and Fernando received instruction too, and the three of them put their new knowledge to good use. The threesome took the motto “Surf’s up!” to heart and spent much of their free time during the trip surfing with rented gear. Cowabunga!