Surfing for a cause

Local surf schools Skudin Surf and Surf 2 Live recently teamed up to host a fundraiser for the Long Beach High School surf team.

The event raised nearly $900 to help the surf team travel to a big competition in New Jersey this fall. Coach Rachel Bobis said that because there are no other surf teams on Long Island, they have to travel to New Jersey to compete. The money will also help fund trips to other area beaches for practice.

“We want to be able to take the kids on trips to Montauk and to surf different spots; it helps them to diversify their surfing,” Bobis said.

About 35 people participated in the event on May 25. Instructors from the surf schools taught lessons to kids and adults of all ages. Team members were on the beach also, helping out in the water, and selling T-shirts.

“It was a great collaborative effort with the surf team and the two surf schools, coming together for one cause: to help the surf team,” said Skudin Surf owner Cliff Skudin. “Helping them get to compete and practice and get everything they can out of their season, it feels great to help them out.”

“We have a passion for our community,” said Surf 2 Live owner Elliot Zuckerman. “So anytime we can do something that’s going to beneficial to the community, especially younger kids…we’re there to help them out.”