Turning Long Beach risk takers into risk technicians

Surfing can be fun. Riding waves, enjoying the warm sun and cool water can be refreshing. But it can also be dangerous.

Due to the potential of injury and other dangers, a group of surfers and educators are making it their mission to decrease the possibilities, and in the case something happens, ensure people know how to react. Oh, and this training is now coming to Long Beach for the first time.

Back in 2011, following the death of a fellow big-wave surfer, Sean Milosky, Danilo Couto and Kohl Christensen got a small group together to discuss risk management while surfing and learn CPR. From that first gathering, more started, and one was being held every December, with more people taking part each year. Then, in 2014, the members formally and officially came together as the Big Wave Risk Assessment Group.

“We really started to hit the stride in 2019, where we got the training curriculum dialed down to a two-day training, which we call the Surf Responder Summit,” said Zach DiIonno, the group’s managing director, “because the premise of the training is trying to teach community responders.”

This year’s Long Beach summit is also the first one in New York. So why is it coming to Long Beach when it’s not a “big wave” surf spot? Well, Will Skudin, a long-time, well-known local and big-wave surfer, has been an instructor with the group for years.

Skudin said that 90 percent of the time, the first person to respond to something in the ocean are surfers or beach goers. He said they want to ensure that the people that put the most time on the beach and in the water know what to do when things go down.

“Bringing big waves to Long Beach will never happen,” Skudin said. “So, this is like the next best thing. I’m able to share everything I’ve learned from the frontlines of big-wave surfing with my community. Share the stories and share some techniques, some critical thinking and critical acting in surf rescue responding.”

The summit will take place at the Allegria Hotel, 80 W. Broadway, and is slated for June 1 and 2. Day one will begin at 8:30 a.m. and finish around 5:30 p.m. Day two of the summit has a morning session starting at the same time at the hotel and an afternoon session with the students on the beach, learning water rescue techniques. The curriculum consists of many ocean safety lessons — some hands on.

The curriculum includes lessons on ocean risk management, CPR and first aid, spot analysis, safety equipment, emergency action planning, mindful breathing and energy management and water rescue. Students will not be operating the jet skis during the water rescue portion.

Registration costs $615 and all those who complete the training will get a certificate and a CPR course completion card. People can register at BWRAG.com/2024newyorksummit.

“We’re trying to turn all these people that are risk takers into risk technicians.,” DiIonno said. “To sum it up in two words: saving lives. That’s what we’re doing.”