A Walk On Water (AWOW) will host its 5th Annual Surf Therapy Event in Montauk on Friday, September 6 and Saturday, September 7 at Ditch Plains.
“We’re incredibly excited to be returning to Montauk for our 5th Annual AWOW Surf Therapy weekend, thanks in large part to our partner John Paul Mitchell Systems and our hosts The Montauk Beach House, The Corcoran Group, The Sax Leader Foundation, LICOP, CoreysWave, and many more,” Executive Director of AWOW, Sean Swentek relayed.
From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days a group of local and AWOW watermen will assist AWOW athletes, children and adults with special needs, experience the thrill of surfing, as well as the ocean’s transformative, therapeutic powers. Throughout the day, participants will catch waves with trained surf instructors, as their families cheer them along, or even surf alongside their siblings. The seaside event will also include live music, arts & crafts, yoga, lunch and much more.
“The people of Montauk, Long Island, and the Greater NYC area have welcomed us into their homes and businesses, and shown an unbelievable level of support for AWOW and the families we serve,” Swentek noted.
In addition to the Ditch Plains surf sessions, this year AWOW will present a duo of fundraisers. The first, CMEE to the Sea Fundraiser, will take place on Friday, September 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The family-friendly cocktail reception, hosted by Douglas Elliman’s The Atlantic Team, at Children’s Museum East End (376 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton) will feature music by DJ TWILO, Montauk Brewing Co. beer, wine, and an exceptional silent auction. Admission to CMEE to the Sea Fundraiser is $50.
 |
|
The yearly post-Labor Day event takes place at Ditch Plains. (Photo: Mikey DeTemple) |
Then, on Saturday, September 7, the Give a Sea of Love Fundraiser will take place at The Montauk Beach House (55 South Elmwood Avenue, Montauk). AWOW’s signature Montauk fundraiser will boast live + silent auctions, DJ sets, and more. The gathering will kick-off with a VIP hour from 6 to 7 p.m., and the fun will open to the public from 7 to 10 p.m. Admission to the VIP hour is $75 and there is no fee to attend the 3-hour soiree, however donations are appreciated.
“Thanks to their countless hours volunteering and their gracious donations over the last five years, we’ve been able to provide life-changing Surf Therapy to almost 1,000 athletes in need,” Swentek added.
Currently, all Montauk athlete sessions are sold out, however AWOW is still looking for volunteers on both days.
Each year, the nonprofit hosts Surf Therapy throughout the country in California, Texas, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and even Mexico. Since its inception in 2012, AWOW has touched the lives of over 1,000 families and provided Surf Therapy to over 2,000 children and adults in need.
For more information, visit awalkonwater.org.
