Surf for All hosts fundraiser

Event raises money to purchase specialized surfboards

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Surf for All, a local nonprofit organization that provides surfing opportunities for people with disabilities and special needs, hosted a fundraiser last week to raise money for a new type of surfboard that will help disabled surfers navigate the waves more freely.

Founded in 2010, Surf for All hosts free surf camps for people with disabilities and special needs. The event raised $8,000 to purchase WaveJet surfboards. The boards have a built-in propulsion system that, for those who have difficulty paddling out on their own, will enable them to get out in the water and catch waves without needing as much assistance.

About 200 attendees came to The Park Sports Bar & Grill to enjoy food, drinks and music by On the Flipside, Jahstix and Ground Swell. Raffle prizes, including surfboards and N.Y. Yankees tickets, were donated by Skudin Surf, the Michelle O’Neill Foundation and the Long Beach Polar Bear Club.

“It was a success, we were able to raise money to get these adaptive surfboards,” said Surf for All co-founder Cliff Skudin. “It’s definitely going to be such a huge plus for so many people with specials needs who learn to surf through Surf for All. We’re trying to get them as fast as possible so we can use them for the summer.”