Surfi ng for a Cause

Surf for all Surf For All is a non-for-profit volunteer charity organization based in Long Beach. It is dedicated to assisting individuals and having them get into the ocean in order for them to experience the joy of surfing as well as maximizing their full potential.

The group offers weekly lessons at no cost for all students ages 5 to 20 during the summer special education program.

The surfing program was founded in 2002 to develop a surf program for developmentally disabled teenagers. Over the years, Surf for All has expanded its outings to cover a broader spectrum of disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, global developmental delays, visual impairment and more. It also provides programs for the economically disadvantaged and lessons and support for military heroes and their families with the help from the Long Beach Waterfront Warriors. According to its website, the group believes “the ocean is a source of healing and spiritual strength that should be accessible to all.”

For more information visit the website at www. surfforall.org.

Surfer’s Way

This Long Beach-based volunteer, non-profit organization, at 830 East Chester St., offers and encourages children with special needs opportunities to experience the thrill of surfing. It offers free surf outings in the summer at Riverside Beach, providing a fun, safe, monumental surfing experience for every child. For more information about Surfer’s Way, visit the website www. surfersway.org or email surfersway@gmail.com.

Surfrider foundation Central Long island Chapter

The Surfrider Foundation advocates for and supports the protection and enjoyment of the waves, oceans and beaches through its powerful activist networks and programs. The National Office of Surfrider Foundation makes great programs available to the chapters. Chapters are free to implement these programs to best fit the needs of their local areas. The local chapter regularly organizes beach, bay and canal cleanups and advocates for environmentally friendly causes. Recent campaigns include a successful push for a ban on the intentional release of balloons; the launch of an ocean-friendly restaurants program and support for a law passed in 2017 limiting single-use plastic bags, among other efforts. For more information, visit centralli.surfrider.orge

Photosc courtesy Jay Belsky Top Photo: A Surf For All instructor surfing with a young kid learning the waves