The Road to Team USA Surf

Riding the Waves of Resilience

Emily Purry is a legally blind athlete, keynote speaker, and founder of Purry Consultants. Diagnosed with Stargardt disease and Macular Degeneration in childhood, she has navigated the world with limited vision, turning challenges into opportunities.

Emily explains, “Surfing has been more than a sport; it’s been a therapeutic journey that reignited my sense of self and athletic identity. It’s been life-changing for my mental health, giving me confidence, clarity, and peace.”

Team USA Para Surf Timeline

May 2025: Emily competed in the Japan Open 2025 where she placed second in her division as a VI2 adaptive surfer.

June 2025: Emily officially qualified for Team USA Para Surf when she placed first at at the championship/team trials in Oceanside, CA.

Sept 2025: Emily will compete in the US Open Adaptive Surfing Championships as the newest member of Team USA Para Surf at the 2025-26 season opener in Oceanside, CA.

As Chapter President for AmpSurf – Pacific Northwest, Emily also helps others with disabilities find healing and empowerment in the waves.

Donations & Sponsorships

As part of Team USA Para Surf, athletes are required to pay their own expenses for training, coaching and competitions, including travel, entry fees and equipment necessary to compete at this elite level.

For Emily, this experience represents more than personal achievement, it is a chance to represent the blind and disabled community, promote adaptive sports, and prove that disability is not inability.

Every dollar helps elevate visibility, amplify representation, and inspire hope for disabled athletes around the world. Thank you for your support!

For individual donations or corporate sponsorships, contact Emily: emily.purry@purryco.com.

About Emily

Emily Purry, MS, is an athlete, consultant, public speaker, and disability inclusion advocate. As a legally blind woman, she has led the way in adaptive sports, accessibility consulting, and executive training. Her leadership with AmpSurf – Pacific Northwest continues to create pathways for others with disabilities to connect through the ocean.