17 Photos
Surfers for healing was held for the first time at Ponquogue Beach in Hampton Bays. DANA SHAW
Surfers for Healing founders Danielle and Izzy Paskowitz with their son Isaiah, left. DANA SHAW
A surfer waxes her board at Surfers for Healing on September 14 at Ponquogue Beach. DANA SHAW
Father Constantine Lazarakis of the Dormition of Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons offers a prayer at Surfers for Healing at Ponquogue Beach on September 14. DANA SHAW
Members of Southampton Village Ocean Rescue help a participant into the water at Surfers for Healing at Ponquogue Beach on September 14. DANA SHAW
A surfer does a back flip off the board at Surfers for Healing. DANA SHAW
Surfers for Healing was held for the first time at Ponquogue Beach on September 14. DANA SHAW
Surfers for Healing was held for the first time at Ponquogue Beach on September 14. DANA SHAW
Surfers for Healing was held for the first time at Ponquogue Beach on September 14. RON ESPOSITO
Surfers for Healing was held for the first time at Ponquogue Beach on September 14. RON ESPOSITO
Surfers for Healing was held for the first time at Ponquogue Beach on September 14. RON ESPOSITO
Surfers for Healing was held for the first time at Ponquogue Beach on September 14. RON ESPOSITO
Surfers for Healing was held for the first time at Ponquogue Beach on September 14. RON ESPOSITO
Surfers for Healing was held for the first time at Ponquogue Beach on September 14. RON ESPOSITO
Chris, Ben and Sherri Halucha of Hampton Bays are regulars at Surfers Healing events and were thrilled when it was held in their own “back yard.” KIM COVELL
Lisa Libertore, founder of Luv Michael, a nonprofit that creates job opportunities for individuals with autism, and her husband Dimitri Kessaris. Luv Michael is the local organization that underwrote the cost of bringing Surfers Healing to the area. KIM COVELL
Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman with Mike Lieberman, Alex King and Josh Belury of Southampton Village Ocean Rescue. RON ESPOSITO
Surfers Healing, the nonprofit organization that introduces children with autism to the sport of surfing, came to Ponquogue Beach in Hampton Bays for the first time on September 13. The California-based organization was created more than 20 years ago by surfer Izzy Paskowitz, who was looking for a way to connect, support and bring peace to his son, Isaiah, who was diagnosed with autism.
After discovering how therapeutic the ocean and surfing was for his son, Paskowitz started Surfers Healing, with his wife, Danielle Paskowitz. The organization offers surf camps throughout the country for children with autism. Surfers Healing has been to Long Island before, hosting camps in Montauk, but came to Hampton Bays last week thanks to the support of local resident Lisa Liberatore. Along with her husband, Dimitri Kessaris, she is the founder of the nonprofit Luv Michael, which creates job opportunities for individuals with autism. Luv Michael underwrote the cost of bringing Surfers Healing to Ponquogue. The Southampton Village Volunteer Ocean Rescue Squad was on hand to provide support as well.
Staff Writer on Sep 20, 2022