San Clemente, California Aug 27, 2021 (Issuewire.com) - This weekend, two non-profit organizations are hosting surf events to help participants experience the therapeutic effects of the ocean through the power of surfing. Both events will feature TANDM surfboards and bodyboards, which will allow participants to ride waves alongside instructors and/or friends.

This Sunday, August 29 from 8-11 A.M. on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, Waves of Strength will host their third annual surf therapy event. Local businesses and volunteers power the event and approximately 80 participants and 90 volunteers are expected to attend. The event is geared towards children with cognitive or physical disabilities such as visual impairment, cerebral palsy, or amputations. Four TANDM bodyboards and one TANDM surfboard will be available for participants with the goal of easing the transition into surfing.

"It's hard to explain the stoke you feel when you catch a wave," says Waves of Strength founder Robert Simek. "It lights the kids up and gives them the confidence to go and get another wave and go on to the next challenge in life."

Gnome Surf hosts camps every weekend with various non-profit and community organizations. This weekend's event will take place with the South Coast LGBTQ Network in Newport, Rhode Island from 5-8 P.M. Saturday (August 28) and Sunday (August 29). Through a wide network of volunteers, the event will offer participants the opportunity to try surfing or TANDM bodyboarding with the goal of helping them feel a sense of inclusion, love, and kindness through the power of the ocean. 

"The ocean is the perfect metaphor for children who may feel like they're not enough, different from their peers, or not able to fit a typical mold," says Gnome Surfboard member Kali Lau Marino. "Being in the ocean gives them the sense of wide-open possibilities."

"TANDM Surf is passionate about supporting non-profit surf organizations because the ocean has done so much for our family," says TANDM Surf CEO Juliette Clark. "We want to bring the joy and benefits of the ocean to others."

More information is available at www.tandmsurf.com

About Waves of Strength

Waves of Strength is a 501(c), nonprofit organization that helps children in the Long Beach Island and the surrounding area who may be in disadvantaged situations, have a critical illness, or limited mobility by giving them the wherewithal to experience the therapeutic and exhilarating experience of surfing in the ocean. More information is available at www.wavesofstrength.org

About Gnome Surf

Gnome Surf is a 501(c), non-profit surf therapy organization that provides surf therapy, art therapy, ecotherapy, and yoga therapy to children and families of all abilities, including those with down syndrome, on the autism spectrum and LGBTQ youth. Their goal is to create a world with kindness, love, and happiness, regardless of socioeconomic status. More information is available at www.gnomesurf.com

About TANDM Surf

Founded by the California-based Clark family of five in 2020, TANDM Surf manufactures bodyboards and surfboards designed so that two people can experience the fun of riding waves together. With TANDM Surf, the Clarks want to make life on the water a community affair for everyone, even those who thought catching waves wasn't for them. An answer to the challenge of picking up surfing on the fly, the TANDM Surf experience allows anyone to quickly and easily catch a wave. Learn more, find your board, and start making every wave a "party wave" at www.tandmsurf.com

Event Information

Waves of Strength

Sunday, August 29 (8-11 A.M.-- Long Beach Island, New Jersey)

Gnome Surf

Saturday, August 28 & Sunday, August 29 (5-8 P.M.--Newport, Rhode Island)

Contact

John Clark, TANDM Surf--john@tandmsurf.com

Robert Simek, Waves of Strength--wavesofstrength@gmail.com

Kali Lau Marino, Gnome Surf--kalilaumarino@gmail.com