Surf For All: Expanding Waves of Inclusion, Our 2025 Impact

Words: Surf For All
Photos: Jason Belsky (@jaybelsky)
Date: Oct, 25 2025

Surf For All: Expanding Waves of Inclusion — Our 2025 Impact

2025 marked one of the most meaningful seasons in Surf For All’s history. What began as a mission to share the joy of surfing with people of all abilities has evolved into a year long wave of empowerment and connection. This year, we proudly hosted 72 adaptive surf outings each designed to build confidence, promote inclusion, and create unforgettable experiences in and around the ocean.

From first time surfers standing tall on a board to seasoned riders pushing their skills further, every session reminded us why access to the ocean matters. Not just for recreation but for healing, for belonging, and for the simple gift of pure joy.

Partnering for Progress

We couldn’t do this work alone. In 2025, we collaborated with incredible organizations, schools, and foundations that share our belief that the ocean is for everyone:

• Hospital for Special Surgery

• Laru Beya

• Felix Organization

• Challenged Athletes Foundation – Adaptive one-hour session at the American Dream wave pool

• Surf Pool Trip — Palm Springs Surf Club With Rick Salomon

• Bellmore High School – Life Skills

• Calhoun High School – Life Skills

• Levittown High School – Life Skills

• Long Beach Middle & High School – Life Skills

• Long Beach Lindell Elementary – Life Skills

• Long Beach Lido Elementary – Life Skills

• Oceanside – Life Skills & Best Buddies

• Rockville Centre Schools – Life Skills

• Limb Kind Foundation

• Samurai Birthday Party with Rick Salomon

• Adaptive Surf Camp with Skudin Surf – Inclusive programming

• Rise – Rockaway Beach

• Camp ANCHOR

• Mauli Ola Foundation

• Open Outing in Memory of Conor Troy

• Chill Foundation – Rockaway Beach

• Tommy Brull Foundation

• Rockaway Cystic Fibrosis

• Alumni of the Henry Viscardi School

• Waterfront Warriors – Veterans & families visiting from Walter Reed

• Wheeling Forward – Rockaway Beach

• Felix Organization – Foster care youth outing at Camp ANCHOR

• MLK Surf Day

Every one of these groups brought their own energy, stories, and enthusiasm into the water and we are better for it.

suddenly rides a wave… a new world opens up.

Together We Made Waves

We’re beyond grateful for everyone who helped make this year’s programs possible, every single supporter plays a part in bringing the joy of the ocean to our community. 🌊

A special thank you to Rick Salomon and our friends at Dunkin Joy In Childhood, Harvey & Ellen Weisenberg, Zebra Technologies, Benedict Foundation and Al Bocchino for going above and beyond this season. Your support helped us create unforgettable moments for kids and families both in and out of the water.

And to all our supporters, volunteers, and families, you’re the heart of Surf For All. 💙

Looking Ahead

The ocean continues to call and we’re not slowing down. We’re already planning more accessible surf opportunities, more partnerships, and more ways to create impact through adaptive recreation.

Moments That Mattered

Whether we were standing on the sand in Rockaway Beach or sending adaptive athletes into clean sets at Long Beach, the highlight of each program was always the people:

• The laughter from a child catching their first wave

• A veteran discovering newfound calm in the ocean

• Lifelong friendships forming between volunteers and athletes

• Students building trust in themselves with every ride

Surfing has a special way of breaking barriers. And when someone who once questioned what they could do suddenly rides a wave… a new world opens up.

Driven by Community Support

Surfers, volunteers, families, donors, and partner organizations you make the mission possible. Because of your support, dozens of communities experienced the power of surf therapy and inclusive recreation this year.

We’re beyond grateful for everyone who paddled out with us, cheered from shore, or helped spread the stoke behind the scenes.

Looking Ahead

The ocean continues to call and we’re not slowing down. We’re already planning more accessible surf opportunities, more partnerships, and more ways to create impact through adaptive recreation.

72 outings in 2025 is just the beginning.

Thank you for standing with us, believing in us, and helping us transform waves into opportunities. Here’s to every ride, past, present, and ahead.

See you in the lineup. 🤙🌊
Surf For All