Event moved to September 27 due to Nor’easter
Surf’s up for children with disabilities and their families at A Walk On Water’s (AWOW) free surf therapy event happening this Sunday, September 27 at Beach 108th Street. With the added support from Locals Surf School, Skudin Surf, and other surf therapists and volunteers, the program will be an enriching day of guided surf instruction and ocean therapy in the Atlantic for children and individuals with unique needs or disabilities. AWOW’s Rockaway Fundraiser will happen the night before on The Rooftop at The Rockaway Hotel featuring a live DJ, raffles, and food and drinks, with 10 percent of sales benefitting AWOW’s surf programs.
Since launching in 2012 on the West Coast, AWOW has served thousands of children and their families through transformative surf therapy. The nonprofit organization has been holding the annual event in Rockaway since 2021 with support from local community partners including Locals Surf School, Skudin Surf, The Rockaway Hotel and PSEG.
Surf therapy is the act of guided surf instruction provided by highly trained instructors, in concert with a carefully constructed and supportive team of volunteers and staff. Besides surf therapy, AWOW’s other beach day offerings include yoga, massage therapy, art therapy, music therapy, food and many variations of sports and play on the beach. Plus, according to the nonprofit’s board member, Ally Hildreth, who has been volunteering with AWOW since 2017, the day also gives siblings a chance to surf alongside their sister or brother with disabilities. Plus, parents and other family members get a chance to take a breather from the daily challenges with a fun beach day watching their special children have fun catching a wave in the ocean, in a safe environment.
Hildreth shared that volunteering with AWOW hits home. “I’m originally from Garden City on Long Island and grew up surfing in Montauk. My 27-year-old sister has nonverbal autism and absolutely loves the water. She’s also my best friend, and we have a really special connection that does not need words. At home, we have a calendar, in which she counts down the days until the next AWOW Rockaway event. Sometimes it’s still May and she’ll point to September because she wants that Rockaway date to come so badly. She knows exactly what that day means to her. And I know she’s not alone. For so many of our athletes, this is one of the biggest days of their year. It becomes a memory and an accomplishment that belongs to them.
“It doesn’t matter how old the children are or how much they weigh, we take everyone who signs up into the water. It’s really the inclusion, and that gives parents a break. It’s one of my mom’s favorite days when we take my sister. We get lunch and do other activities like arts and crafts on the beach. So, the day is also for parents to just chill and essentially have a beach day, too. One of my favorite parts of the day is that the siblings of our athletes are included, too. We want the entire family to feel part of the experience,” she said.
Hildreth described AWOW’s surf therapy program as a well-oiled machine, and attributed its success to core values—family, community and safety.
She said, “Family: The athlete is at the center of the entire day. From getting their wetsuit on and paddling out with their surf instructor and volunteers, to giving their parents a little break while we have them, we want the athlete to feel completely celebrated. One of my favorite moments is when the athletes are sitting on their boards in the water, looking back toward the beach and pointing out their families as they wave to them from shore. Then, at the end of the day, their families come up for the trophy ceremony and get to watch their child shine as they’re announced and celebrated. Ultimately, we want every athlete to leave feeling proud, confident, and like a true surfer.
“Community: Rockaway has such an amazing surf community, and that’s a huge part of what makes this event special. The support from Skudin Surf, Locals Surf School, The Rockaway Hotel, PSEG Long Island, the local surfers and all of our volunteers has been incredible. We want these families to feel like they’re part of the Rockaway community, not just visiting for one day.
“Safety: We have experienced surfers, instructors, and volunteers working together both in the water and on the beach. We want every family to feel comfortable, supported and safe so they can focus on enjoying the day. When an athlete feels safe and knows they have a whole team around them, they’re able to let go, try something new and really enjoy the experience. As for the bigger picture, I’d love for AWOW to continue growing in Rockaway and become something families can still look forward to every year.”
For Hildreth, AWOW’s surf therapy event this Sunday is about so much more than learning to surf. It’s about connecting families to the ocean, building confidence, and creating a positive experience together.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the surfers who come out and make the day possible, including Will and Cliff Skudin, Mike Reinhardt, Jeff Anthony, Mike Kololyan, Kailani Mergen, and Danny Collins. Their involvement really shows what the Rockaway surf community is all about. It’s amazing to see the local surfers use something they love to create such a meaningful experience for these families,” she said.
A Walk On Water’s annual free Rockaway Beach adaptive surf therapy event is this Sunday, September 27, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Beach 108th Street, weather permitting. AWOW’s fundraiser is Saturday night (9/26) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Head to The Rooftop at The Rockaway Hotel for AWOW’s to enjoy live music, DJ, raffles, and food and drinks. Ten 10 percent of sales go toward the organization.
For more info about A Walk On Water, and to register for Sunday’s surf therapy event, visit: www.awalkonwater.org. Also, follow awalkonwater on Instagram.
