Braving the surf

“It’s definitely the highlight of my summer, just seeing that they’re accomplishing something that they never thought possible,” said Cliff Skudin, “and to have them feel the love of surfing is really special.”

Skudin was talking about the participants in the Surfing for the Visually Impaired event at National Boulevard beach on July 11. Skudin, who cofounded the local nonprofit organization Surf for All in 2010 with his brother, Will, and Long Beach resident Jim Mulvaney, said that the event — now in its third year — keeps getting better.

Surf for All focuses on helping people with special needs — those with autism, diabetics, the visually disabled and others — through surfing.

The event was part of the third annual Surf Week in Long Beach July 11-15, hosted by the Allegria Hotel and presented by NY Sea Productions. The events included an art show, concerts and surf and skateboard contests.

“We’re making it an annual event, and you really see the kids progress and they really look forward to getting back in the water every summer,” Skudin said. “It’s really cool to see some familiar faces and some new kids.”

This year, the co-founders said, Surfing for the Visually Impaired had about 30 participants ranging in age from 13 to over 50.

“The bravery of someone who can’t see any of this, but wants to try an adventure, and then watching them succeed just warms your heart,” said Mulvaney, adding that 29 of the participants stood up on their boards.

About 25 volunteers helped with the event, and Mulvaney, who has an autistic child, said the beginning surfers’ parents were encouraged to come to the beach and get involved. “For them to see their children surfing was just a life-altering experience,” he said. “To actually see your own child do something beyond your wildest dreams — successfully — is every parent’s dream.”

State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, a Democrat from Long Beach, who volunteered to help out and is a huge supporter of Surf for All, described the day as “filled with happiness.” “People are getting an opportunity to show what they can do, not what they can’t do,” Weisenberg said. “The thrill is not only for the youngsters who are participating and experiencing the ocean for the first time, but I can say from my own life experience that the people who volunteer and take them out — they have as much of a thrill as the kids who are on the surfboards. It’s the best day they’ll have all summer.”

Skudin said that the city’s support for the event makes all the difference. “It was really cool to see the City of Long Beach and everybody in the community having a great time …,” he said, adding that the event was well organized.

“I’m just really blessed to be able to teach these people how to surf,” he said. “It was a great, fun, perfect day with great waves. We’re just trying to spread the love of surfing.”