Heart of Surfing – Surf Days
August 23 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
August 23rd, 9am until 12pm
Location: TBD, Seaside Park, NJ 08752
Join Heart of Surfing for a fun day of surfing! Free for families with autism and other developmental disabilities.
CLICK HERE to book your surf time
Please plan to arrive 30 minutes before your booked surf time to allow for parking, check in, and other activities like picking your surf vest and meeting our volunteers.
We do ask that you please read the full terms and conditions when booking your tickets. You must agree to the terms and conditions to book your tickets. This includes a new safety requirement that all surfers wear a life vest to participate.
Frequently asked questions
With the beginning of a new surfing season upon us, we find it helpful to post FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
- DO I NEED A SURFBOARD?
No, we provide surfboards, life vests and volunteer instructors - WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO THE BEACH?
A towel, sunscreen water bottle (we have a refill jug) and personal items - HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Everything we do at Heart of Surfing is FREE. We are 100% volunteer driven. - CAN I LEAVE MY CHILD/PARTICIPANT ON THE BEACH WITH YOU?
Absolutely not. It is 100% your responsibility to ensure your child/participant’s safety from the moment they go with a volunteer instructor to the moment they come out of the water after their session. - DO I NEED A BEACH TAG?
No, if someone asks, tell them you are with a City Permitted Special Event -and explain what it is - HOW OLD DOES MY CHILD NEED TO BE TO SURF?
We recommend at least 5 years old - IS THERE AN UPPER AGE LIMIT?
No, many adults with special needs participate in our programs. - IF MY CHILD REFUSES, WILL YOU TAKE HIM/HER IN THE OCEAN REGARDLESS?
No, first and foremost we strive to create a positive experience. If the child is showing distress, we will offer a land lesson and then maybe in 2 inches of water, etc…
- DO I HAVE TO REGISTER MY CHILD IN ADVANCE ON THE WEBSITE ?
No, but we definitely prefer it. It helps us to ensure we have enough boards and volunteers to accommodate everyone. Plus it saves time with paperwork done in advance online. However, if you do not feel comfortable on computers and simply come to the beach, we will do our best to offer a fun experience for your loved one. - DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO WEAR A LIFE VEST?
Yes, for the safety of all participants, regardless of swimming level or sensory needs, life vests are mandatory. You may bring your own life vest or borrow one of ours. (We have many in all sizes). You may want to practice wearing the lifevest in advance so your participant becomes more accustomed and comfortable in it.
- CAN I LEAVE WHILE MY CHILD IS SURFING?
Absolutely not. You should be at the waters edge watching while your participant surfs…when the instructor brings the participant out of the water, you should be right there to provide a smooth transition. - HOW LONG WILL MY CHILD/ADULT SURF?
We try to offer minimally 30 minutes for each participant. This varies upon # of participants and volunteers, and how your participant responds. Some surfers only tolerate or enjoy being in the water for 10-15 minutes. Some days it may be more than the allotted time and some days it may be less - DO YOU ONLY SURF PEOPLE WITH AUTISM?
No, we began the organization for people with autism but have expanded to include people with various kinds of related developmental disabilities - WHY DO YOU DO THIS?
Bob and I started Heart of Surfing in 2014 in honor of our son Jamie who had autism and loved the waves. Jamie passed tragically in 2020 at the age of 25. Today we continue Heart of Surfing to honor his legacy. - HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER? DO I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO SURF?
You can email mail@heartofsurfing.org or call/text 609 705 5323. You do NOT need to know how to surf…there are plenty of land volunteer opportunities such as checking people in, helping with life vests, etc.. - HOW CAN I DONATE to Heart of Surfing?
There is a donation page on our website Heartofsurfing.org
We also accept checks mail@heartofsurfing.org or call/text 609 705 5323 for more info
***If this did not answer your question feel free to call/text 609 705 5323, message, or email anytime*** Heartofsurfing.org