Jacksonville Public Library

Just add water, a surfing savant's journey with Asperger's, Clay Marzo and Robert Yehling

eng

autobiography

illustrations

no index present

non fiction

Just add water

885225173

Clay Marzo and Robert Yehling

a surfing savant's journey with Asperger's

"From the best freestyle surfer in the world, an inspiring and moving memoir about his ascendance to the top of the surfing world while struggling for most of his young life with undiagnosed Asperger's syndrome Clay Marzo has an almost preternatural gift with a surfboard. From his first moments underwater (he learned to swim at two months old) to his first ventures atop his father's surfboard as a toddler, it was obvious that Marzo's single-minded focus on all things surfing was unique. But not until late in his teens, when this surfing phenom was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, did the deeper reasons for his obsession--and his astonishing gift for surfing--become clear. Just Add Water is the remarkable story of Marzo's rise to the top of the pro surfing world--and the personal trials he overcame in making it there. Marzo endured a difficult childhood. He was a colicky baby who his mother found could be soothed only with water. Later, as he entered school, his undiagnosed Asperger's made it tough for him to relate to his peers and fit in, but his relationship with the wave was elemental. Marzo could always turn to surfing, the only place where he truly felt at peace. Unflinching and inspiring, Just Add Water is a brave memoir from a one-of-a-kind surfing savant who has electrified fans around the world with his gift and whose story speaks boldly to the hope and ultimate triumph of the human spirit"--, Provided by publisher

In the pocket -- the shorebreak toddler -- Rough landing in school -- Contests, barrels-- and a new sister -- A surfing family -- School daze -- King Tide in water, ebb tide on land -- Perfection -- New sensation -- Playing on camera -- Storm clouds -- diagnosis : Asperger's Syndrome -- Learning about Asperger's -- Just add water : the movie -- Cheyne and me -- Why contests stopped being fun -- Why is living the dream so uncomfortable? -- Life -- Jade -- Connecting with a larger community -- Reading the ocean : a gift of Asperger's