Raising awareness for a friend

The weather was cooperating Sunday when local surfer Joe Griskonis, wearing a shirt inscribed with the words “Ocean of Hope,” paddled in on calm waters from Catalina to the 20th Street pier in Newport Beach.

Griskonis, a Hoag Memorial Presbyterian Hospital surgical technician, organized the paddleboard journey to raise funds for Matt Oka, 21, who broke his neck when he hit a sandbar diving into the ocean at Newport Beach on the Fourth of July.

The two became friends after Griskonis assisted in Oka’s surgery the day of the accident, and during his recovery at Hoag.

Griskonis was also a frequent visitor once Oka was moved to Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center in Downey. Getting a late start at 7:30 a.m. from Catalina, Griskonis said it was “ugly out there.”

The water became glassy at some points, and with the wind at his back, Griskonis said the 27-mile journey became a little easier to paddle.

The paddleboard was equipped with two water bottles and a rudder that allowed him to steer the board with his legs. A friend followed in a small pleasure craft to monitor his progress.

People ran to greet Griskonis as he arrived on shore at 3:30 p.m., visibly tired and carrying the board resting against his shoulder.

Oka was discharged from Rancho Los Amigos Saturday, returning to his home in Costa Mesa to begin an out-patient therapy and home care program.

Julie Oka, Matt’s mom, said the family is grateful to Griskonis and described him as “enormously generous.”

“We so appreciate his time and energy.”

Sue Thoensen and Don Leach

A fund has been established in Matt’s name with the National Transplant Assistance Fund and Catastrophic Injury Program. To help, call (800) 642-8399 or go to www.catastrophicfund.org.