A Hawaii man tackled his sports gambling addiction by offering free surf lessons

2 hours ago 5

Honolulu, Hawaii — For Buddy Wiggins of Honolulu, Hawaii, the extremity effect of a yearslong sports gambling addiction has travel to this: soliciting strangers connected the beach.

The 32-year-old excavation cleaner says helium heard a voice, a calling, to instrumentality his beingness successful a radically antithetic direction.

"I yet came to a constituent wherever I mislaid beauteous overmuch everything," Wiggins told CBS News. "And I'm connected my hands and knees, and I'm crying."

What Wiggins felt called to bash was to travel down to Waikiki Beach, attack full strangers who had ne'er surfed before, and inquire them if they wanted a escaped lesson.

Wiggins calls it the First Wave Project. Twice a week, helium and a mates of friends widen their escaped connection to the astir improbable surfers they tin find.

"The vigor that they had made you consciousness similar you could bash precisely what helium was saying," surfing pupil Quest Douglass said.

"They gave maine a assurance that I haven't had since I was successful my 30s," said Manny Fernandez, different student.

It is simply a assurance that often lasts a batch longer than the ride.

"I deliberation erstwhile you flooded things that you ne'er thought was possible, you commencement thinking, 'OK, what's next?'" Wiggins reflected.

So far, Wiggins and his squad person helped astir 100 radical thrust that question of inspiration.

"Especially astatine a clip erstwhile I'm struggling financially," said Wiggins, who added that helium does it for escaped due to the fact that it provides him "the feeling of giving."

It's each acknowledgment to that mysterious dependable successful his caput that told him to tackle his addiction by sharing his passion.

If you oregon idiosyncratic you cognize is struggling with gambling, assistance is available. The National Problem Gambling Helpline offers free, confidential enactment 24/7. Call 1-800-GAMBLER to talk with trained counselors who tin supply guidance, resources, and attraction options.

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