Value of Time Served: $0
Event Type: Children & Youth
Sport: Surfing
Date: September 20, 2016
Location:
Lido Beach West Town Park Lido Beach
New York 11561, United States
About:
Sept. 14 was a day of serenity, excitement and in some cases bravery for Long Beach students who participated in the annual Surfers Healing Surf Camp held at Lido West Town Beach. Members of Long Beach High School’s Life Skills program and the district’s special education program joined students, educators and parents from neighboring communities for a therapeutic, confidence-building experience that combined the tranquility of the ocean with the magic of surfing.
Professional Surfers Healing instructors brought students into the water on long boards after welcoming them and fitting them for life jackets. Students each embarked upon their own unique surfing adventures, in which they trusted their instructors and believed in themselves as they stepped up onto their feet to ride waves back to the shore. Members of the Long Beach High School surf team handed out medals with pride and offered congratulatory remarks, high-fives and encouragement to the accomplished surfers. Students in the high school’s marching band and color guard also volunteered and led the event’s opening ceremony.
Surfers Healing seeks to enhance the lives of children and teens with special needs, >specifically those with autism. The organization’s stellar team, coupled with the ocean’s therapeutic effect has been making a difference in the lives of its participants for 16 years. This was one of many one-day Surfers Healing camps held across the nation and was organized in partnership with the Town of Hempstead.
Photo Captions:
1: Kaya Pace rode to shore with the assistance of Surfer’s Healing instructors.
2: The Long Beach High School surf team provided support by handing out medals, and encouragement.
3: A Surfer’s Healing instructor helped Damian Montelone stand strong on his board.
4:
5: Kimberly Flamberg was all smiles after successful surfing.
6: Mylana Holman paddled out with an instructor.
7: Fabrizio Lobatan proudly accepted a medal from surf team members Jack Rockefeller and Shane Wellen.
8: Members of the marching band led the opening ceremony for Surfer’s Healing.
Photos courtesy of the Long Beach School District
