Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Thanksgiving
HAPPY LATE THANKSGIVING TO ALL. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF RESTRUCTURING THE SURF PALS BOARD TO MAKE IT AN EVEN BETTER EXPERIENCE NEXT SUMMER. KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED IN THE SPRING FOR THIS SEASONS LINE UP.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
THANK YOU LONG BEACH
THIS IS A LETTER TO THE EDITOR WE SUBMITTED TO THE LONG BEACH HERALD THIS WEEKEND. I'LL LET YOU KNOW IF IT RUNS:
As a co-founder of Surf Pals, a local volunteer group dedicated to assisting "Kids With Autism Surfing," I want to thank everyone who helped make our event Monday July 28 such a success.
Coming on the heels of one of the most difficult beach weekends in memory, it was quite poignant to see more than 50 children enjoy the placid face of the the ocean and the healing power it contains.
Autism is a medical tsunami affecting more than one in 150 kids, making it larger than pediatric cancer, AIDS and diabetes COMBINED. It is a neurological based disorder that makes communication difficult. The Long Beach community has become a leader in assisting children and families faced with this condition.
The residents of this barrier beach not only have "Long Beach Sand in Our Shoes" we've also got "Long Beach Love in Our Hearts" and it was on display for our kids. Long Beach has become a community renowned for charity and community spirit; we see it on display for Polar Bears, Michelle O'Neill, Sean Ryan, SJK and too many more events to mention. There is no community on Long Island that is more giving, not just with checkbooks but also through personal involvement.
Beyond the chores provided by Surf Pals volunteers, their mere presence is invaluable. Our kids with autism feel locked away and as much as they enjoy the ocean, the biggest thrill may be the opportunity to perform for cheering spectators. Kids with autism don't hear much encouragement; on this day it was round after round of "Curtain Calls" and "Standing O-s" for every ride down the face of a wave. These "disabled" kids were quite proud to have the opportunity to display their abilities.
Along with the co-founders of Surf Pals, Harvey Weisenberg, Elliot Zuckerman and Jack Mulvaney, I'd like to thank the whole community especially singling out those who got personally involved including Charley Theofan, Joe Brand, Jack Radin, Mike Tangney, Mary Giambalvo, the folks from the Recreation and Auxiliary Police and Sanitation departments, Monarch Beverages, Dunes Deli, MacKoul Insurance, Maria Aramanda, The Inn, Pilates for Every Body, Assemblyman Weisenberg's staff and the city's premier surf schools Surf2Live and ZooYork.
A special mention of gratitude goes to the Long Beach life guards who had just gotten through one of the toughest weekend's in their history. The men and women of this service not only preformed heroically in the face of danger during the ferocious weekend rip currents but they were also handled our children with a sense of dignity, respect and humanity. It is not easy to develop the muscles needed to be a Long Beach lifeguard; I would argue that the level of kindness they presented to our kids that day is requires even greater strength.
My son, Dan Mulvaney has autism and has lost nearly all of his speech. He is a well known smiling face around town and sometimes asks me to be his voice. In this case, as one of the first Surf Pals to hit the beach back in 2002, Dan wants to relay his thanks and looks forward to seeing you at the next Surf Pals event Sept 2 in Long Beach.
Jim Mulvaney
Long Beach
As a co-founder of Surf Pals, a local volunteer group dedicated to assisting "Kids With Autism Surfing," I want to thank everyone who helped make our event Monday July 28 such a success.
Coming on the heels of one of the most difficult beach weekends in memory, it was quite poignant to see more than 50 children enjoy the placid face of the the ocean and the healing power it contains.
Autism is a medical tsunami affecting more than one in 150 kids, making it larger than pediatric cancer, AIDS and diabetes COMBINED. It is a neurological based disorder that makes communication difficult. The Long Beach community has become a leader in assisting children and families faced with this condition.
The residents of this barrier beach not only have "Long Beach Sand in Our Shoes" we've also got "Long Beach Love in Our Hearts" and it was on display for our kids. Long Beach has become a community renowned for charity and community spirit; we see it on display for Polar Bears, Michelle O'Neill, Sean Ryan, SJK and too many more events to mention. There is no community on Long Island that is more giving, not just with checkbooks but also through personal involvement.
Beyond the chores provided by Surf Pals volunteers, their mere presence is invaluable. Our kids with autism feel locked away and as much as they enjoy the ocean, the biggest thrill may be the opportunity to perform for cheering spectators. Kids with autism don't hear much encouragement; on this day it was round after round of "Curtain Calls" and "Standing O-s" for every ride down the face of a wave. These "disabled" kids were quite proud to have the opportunity to display their abilities.
Along with the co-founders of Surf Pals, Harvey Weisenberg, Elliot Zuckerman and Jack Mulvaney, I'd like to thank the whole community especially singling out those who got personally involved including Charley Theofan, Joe Brand, Jack Radin, Mike Tangney, Mary Giambalvo, the folks from the Recreation and Auxiliary Police and Sanitation departments, Monarch Beverages, Dunes Deli, MacKoul Insurance, Maria Aramanda, The Inn, Pilates for Every Body, Assemblyman Weisenberg's staff and the city's premier surf schools Surf2Live and ZooYork.
A special mention of gratitude goes to the Long Beach life guards who had just gotten through one of the toughest weekend's in their history. The men and women of this service not only preformed heroically in the face of danger during the ferocious weekend rip currents but they were also handled our children with a sense of dignity, respect and humanity. It is not easy to develop the muscles needed to be a Long Beach lifeguard; I would argue that the level of kindness they presented to our kids that day is requires even greater strength.
My son, Dan Mulvaney has autism and has lost nearly all of his speech. He is a well known smiling face around town and sometimes asks me to be his voice. In this case, as one of the first Surf Pals to hit the beach back in 2002, Dan wants to relay his thanks and looks forward to seeing you at the next Surf Pals event Sept 2 in Long Beach.
Jim Mulvaney
Long Beach
Monday, July 28, 2008
Surf Pals will have more than 50 children on the autism spectrum surfing today (Monday) at Azores Beach (Pacific Blvd., 11561) in Long Beach. Today's surfari will be especially poignant as it comes on the heels of an unprecedented number of ocean drownings across the tri-state area. Today's event celebrates the healing power of the ocean and demonstrates the abilities of so-called disabled children.
Jim Mulvaney 917 952 8717
Jim Mulvaney 917 952 8717
Sunday, July 27, 2008
POSTPONE JULY 27 SURF PALS
DUE TO INCREASING WAVE HEIGHTS AND RIP CURRENTS SUNDAY'S SURF PALS EVENT IN LONG BEACH SCHEDULED FOR JULY 27 IS POSTPONED.
WE ARE NOW ON FOR MONDAY JULY 28, SAME TIME, SAME PLACE
WE ARE NOW ON FOR MONDAY JULY 28, SAME TIME, SAME PLACE
Monday, July 7, 2008
THE INN
OUR SECOND ANNUAL FUND RAISER AT THE INN in LONG BEACH IS COMING UP THIS COMING SUNDAY. LOTS OF GREAT RAFFLES INCLUDING JEWELRY, TRIPS, ART, GIFT CERTIFICATES, CLOTHING AND EVEN A CHANCE TO UNDERGO SECRET AGENT TRAINING.
THE PARTY IS SUNDAY JULY 13 4 PM TO 8 PM AT THE INN on Beech St., in Long Beach.
For directions go to their web site www.thelongbeachinn.com
THE PARTY IS SUNDAY JULY 13 4 PM TO 8 PM AT THE INN on Beech St., in Long Beach.
For directions go to their web site www.thelongbeachinn.com
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
PHOTOS
cHECK PHOTOS FROM SURF PAL CHRISTINE FROM LAST SUMMER
See Photos Here:
http://homepage.mac.com/lighthousestudios/PhotoAlbum30.html
Thanks,
Christine
http://www.michaelsrecovery.blogspot.com
Posted by Christine to Surfpal at January 15, 2008 12:28 PM
See Photos Here:
http://homepage.mac.com
Thanks,
Christine
http://www.michaelsrecovery
Posted by Christine to Surfpal at January 15, 2008 12:28 PM
SURF PAL VIDEO
This is my third day building this blog and I've added video.
The clip is of co-founder Elliot Zuckerman taking a local kid out on the waves. Surf2Live is the name of Elliot's school (see other link) and the tv footage was shot before we formalized Surf Pals. But there he is in living colorGo to the bottom of the blog and click on the links:
Surf Pal Elliot on TV
UK Skeds
I've just heard from Surf Pal Lis Leader in Devon, England that dates are set for two UK Surfaris with more than two dozen kids already signed up:
Sunday 7th September -- Ramsgate, Kent
Saturday 13th September -- Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon
These two dates are tentative, but probably accurate
Wednesday 10th September -- Bournemouth
Tuesday 16th September -- Watergate Bay, Cornwall.
If you have friends in England, let them know about Surf Pals 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Aloha
As we are making our plans for the 2008 Surf Pals season we want to make sure everyone signs up.
The easiest way to do that is to send an email with your contact information and child's name to lbsurfpal@gmail.com.
We anticipate venues in Long Beach in June, July and September.
Gilgo Beach in July.
UK in August.
Jim Mulvaney
The easiest way to do that is to send an email with your contact information and child's name to lbsurfpal@gmail.com.
We anticipate venues in Long Beach in June, July and September.
Gilgo Beach in July.
UK in August.
Jim Mulvaney
Monday, January 14, 2008
welcome
This is the first post on the Surfpal blog (aka Surfpal-autism.blogspot.com).
Surfpals was founded in 2007 by three friends, a lifeguard/assemblyman, a corporate executive/master surf instructor and me, an investigator and former journalist.
In 2002 we participated in the first Autism Surfing event in New York with five children, a couple of surfboards and some pro surfers from California.
From there it has grown to an international phenomenon. Last year we held our first Surfari in England, so we are international.
This summer we will hold events in New York (Long Beach, Gilgo Beach and Southampton) as well as several in England and perhaps Ireland.
Our website should be up soon.
Autism is a communications malady that is, sadly, an epidemic ripping through the world. More than 1 in 150 children born today will be diagnosed with the disorder. It's cause is unknown but I believe is somewhere in a horrific coming together of genetic mutation and environmental trigger.
There is no cure.
We take the kids surfing because the one universal statement about autism is that the sufferers don't have enough fun. You don't need to be able to speak, converse coherently or even be well mannered to surf.
For the teachers, coaches and other participants, the reward is the smiles on the faces of our kids. We don't commit miracles, but we make kids happy which, may be a miracle in itself.
Again, welcome
Jim Mulvaney
Surfpals was founded in 2007 by three friends, a lifeguard/assemblyman, a corporate executive/master surf instructor and me, an investigator and former journalist.
In 2002 we participated in the first Autism Surfing event in New York with five children, a couple of surfboards and some pro surfers from California.
From there it has grown to an international phenomenon. Last year we held our first Surfari in England, so we are international.
This summer we will hold events in New York (Long Beach, Gilgo Beach and Southampton) as well as several in England and perhaps Ireland.
Our website should be up soon.
Autism is a communications malady that is, sadly, an epidemic ripping through the world. More than 1 in 150 children born today will be diagnosed with the disorder. It's cause is unknown but I believe is somewhere in a horrific coming together of genetic mutation and environmental trigger.
There is no cure.
We take the kids surfing because the one universal statement about autism is that the sufferers don't have enough fun. You don't need to be able to speak, converse coherently or even be well mannered to surf.
For the teachers, coaches and other participants, the reward is the smiles on the faces of our kids. We don't commit miracles, but we make kids happy which, may be a miracle in itself.
Again, welcome
Jim Mulvaney
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