Surfers for Autism
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Grand scale beach festivals for children and young adults with autism and other developmental delays.
ABOUT US
It was December of 2007 when a simple idea was presented to a small group of South Florida surfers whose lives and families have been touched by autism. The concept of introducing children on the autism spectrum to surfing took hold and the group began planning for the inaugural Deerfield Beach event. During the planning stages of the event, it was decided that it would be free, open to the public and not classified as a fundraiser. A fundraising element would exist, through accepted donations for raffles and event specific T-shirts but would remain unpublished and in the background. A decision to provide entertainment and a catered lunch was also made. On April 5, 2008, the inaugural Surfers For Autism event was held on the north side of the Deerfield Beach Pier where 40 surfers with autism and related developmental delays hit the water with the assistance of 200 volunteer surf instructors and 2500 supportive onlookers. The organization has since hosted events all over the state and abroad. Nearly every event on our tour has maxed out by reaching our limit of 200 registered participants, 350 volunteers and depending on the market, anywhere from 2500 to 12,000 beachgoers have packed local beaches to witness the wonder and transformation first-hand. At an SFA event, our surfers are provided a safe, fun, judgment free environment where our volunteer surf instructors carefully guide them into waves. Our surfers and their families are treated like rock stars and enjoy a day filled with a range of activities. Depending on location the day's activities may include stand up paddle boarding, music, face-painting, games, bounce houses, fire engine tours, paint the fire engine and much more. A catered lunch is also provided, all at no cost to anyone. This is a very special day where children with ASD interact with typical peers and wow families with their capabilities. These events are examples of inclusion at the highest level.
🌊💙 THAT’S A WRAP ON AN INCREDIBLE SEASON! 💙🌊
From the entire Surfers for Autism team, THANK YOU! 🏄♀️💙
What a season it has been! This year, we hosted 6 festivals across the state of Florida, along with 2 chapter events every month from May through September at 2 different beaches! 🌴🌊
That’s countless smiles, new friendships, unforgettable memories, and so many children and young adults given the opportunity to experience the joy of surfing and community. 💙
None of this would be possible without the incredible community sponsors, donors, volunteers, and supporters who continue to believe in our mission. Your generosity allows us to keep our events FREE for our participants, creating opportunities for families that truly make a difference.
Every donation, every sponsorship, every volunteer hour, and every helping hand plays a part in making these experiences possible. We are beyond grateful for the community that continues to show up for our families. 🙏💙
To every participant, family, volunteer, sponsor, and supporter: THANK YOU for making this season so special. You are the heart of Surfers for Autism, and we couldn’t do what we do without you!
🌊 We look forward to seeing you all in 2027! 🌊
Stay tuned for next year’s schedule and more exciting things to come!
With love and gratitude,
Your Surfers for Autism Team 💙🏄♀️
09/18/2026
‼️‼️ATTENTION ‼️‼️
With tomorrow being the last session for the season at both of our chapters we will have our chapter specific merch out at the beach for sale from 9AM-11AM!
Thank you everyone for a great season!
💙🌊💙🌊💙🌊💙🌊💙🌊💙🌊💙🌊💙🌊💙
09/12/2026
Great way to start off a Saturday Morning at our St. Lucie County Firefighters Surfers For Autism Chapter!
Thank you for your support in the community and out on the water! 🌊💙🚒
09/09/2026
🌊 WE STILL HAVE SPOTS AVAILABLE! 🏄♀️💙
We’re down to the FINAL TWO CHAPTER EVENTS of our 2026 season! 🎉
If you haven’t joined us yet—or you’re ready for one more day of sunshine, surfing, smiles, and community—there’s still time to register! 🌴☀️
🏄 St. Lucie County Chapter
📅 September 12th & September 19th
👉 Register https://www.eventbrite.com/e/st-lucie-county-chapter-surfing-event-september-12th-and-19th-tickets-1989158495607?aff=oddtdtcreator
🏄 Martin County Chapter
📅 September 12th & September 19th
👉 Register https://www.eventbrite.com/e/martin-county-chapter-surfing-event-september-12th-and-19th-tickets-1989158649066?aff=oddtdtcreator
💙 These FREE events are made possible by our incredible volunteers, sponsors, and supporters, allowing us to continue creating opportunities for children and adults with autism and their families.
Spots are limited, so don’t miss out! 🙌
Come surf with us, make memories, and help us finish our 2026 chapter season STRONG! 🌊💙
Surfers For Autism Join us at one of our FREE surf events where children and adults with autism and other developmental delays experience the joy of surfing in a safe, supportive environment.
09/05/2026
Congratulations to Skylar for winning the board she wanted so badly!!!! Thank you for coming to the event!
🌊💙 THAT’S A WRAP ON OUR 2026 SURF FESTIVAL SEASON! 💙🌊
A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out to our St. Pete Beach Surfers for Autism Surf Festival today! 🏄♂️🏄♀️
To all of our surfers, families, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters — THANK YOU! Your love and support make these incredible days possible and help us continue creating unforgettable experiences for individuals with autism. 💙
From the first wave to the last smile, 2026 was one for the books! 🌴☀️🌊
🎉 That’s a wrap on our 2026 festival season! 🎉
But don’t worry… we’ll be back! 😉
We can’t wait to see everyone in 2027!
📅 Stay tuned over the coming months as we announce our 2027 festival schedule! You won’t want to miss it!
💙 ONE MORE REMINDER! 💙
We’re not quite finished with 2026 yet! Our local Martin County and St. Lucie County Chapters each have TWO MORE CHAPTER EVENTS coming up:
🏄 September 12th
🏄 September 19th
Come out and help us finish the year strong! 🌊🤙
Thank you for making our 2026 festival season so special. We couldn’t do it without you!
Until 2027… keep surfing, keep smiling, and keep spreading the love! 💙🌊
08/31/2026
🌊 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! 🌊
We need YOU! 💙🏄♂️
This Saturday, September 5th, Surfers for Autism is taking over Pass-a-Grille Beach in St. Pete Beach for an amazing day of surfing, smiles, and community—and we need volunteers to help make it happen! 🙌
📍 Pass-a-Grille Beach – St. Pete Beach (8th Avenue St. Pete Beach, FL 33706)
📅 Saturday, September 5th
⏰ 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Whether you’ve volunteered with us before or this is your first time, we’d love to have you join the team!
💙 Help us create an unforgettable experience for our surfers and their families while supporting our mission of unlocking the potential of children and adults with autism, building awareness, and uniting communities through volunteerism.
Bring your energy, your beach attitude, and a willingness to help! 🌴🌊
If you can volunteer for all day or even just a few hours, we need you!
👉 Comment below or message us to volunteer!
Let’s make Saturday an incredible day for our surfers! 🏄♀️💙
08/30/2026
08/29/2026
Congratulations to our winners who won a one of a kind Stewart Maxcy painted surfboard!
Thank you to everyone who came out to our event here in Flagler Beach today!
See you next weekend in St Pete!!!!!
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
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Contact the organization
Address
1820 NE Jensen Beach Boulevard #501
Stuart, FL
34957
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