Surfers Healing
Surfers Healing is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1996 that runs free, volunteer-staffed tandem surf camps for children with autism at beaches across the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and New Zealand, serving roughly 4,500-6,000 children annually through individual donations and corporate sponsorships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersMission Viejo, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Surfers Healing does
Surfers Healing Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1996 in Rancho Mission Viejo, California, by Israel "Izzy" Paskowitz and Danielle Paskowitz. It operates free, daylong surf camps for children with autism, pairing each child with a volunteer instructor on a tandem surfboard at beach locations across the United States (California, Hawaii, Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, Texas), Mexico (Cabo San Lucas), Puerto Rico, and New Zealand (Waipu Cove, Mount Maunganui). The organization reports serving approximately 4,500-6,000 children with autism annually and is staffed primarily by volunteers, with 1-10 employees listed.
The operating model relies on no proprietary technology beyond a website, an Acceptiva-powered donation platform, and a camp registration system that uses lottery windows for high-demand locations. The core service — tandem-board surfing with experienced surf instructors — is positioned as a sensory therapeutic experience, leveraging the weightlessness and rhythm of the ocean for children who struggle with sensory overload. The organization explicitly differentiates itself from newer entrants by refusing to charge families for participation.
Revenue derives entirely from individual donations and corporate sponsorships; there is no fee-for-service. The corporate sponsor roster spans 30+ partners across financial services (Bain Capital, JPMorganChase, Edelman Financial Engines), automotive (Ford, Shelly Automotive), retail (Bloomingdale's), surf and outdoor brands (Hobie, Maui Jim, Mustang Survival, Roshambo Eyewear), and mission-aligned non-profits (NEXT for AUTISM, Luv Michael, Autism Family Services of New Jersey). Each camp carries an estimated $75-100+ per-child cost in equipment, permits, and insurance, which the organization offsets through fundraising. The 2026 plan includes a 30th Anniversary National Celebration in Waikiki and ongoing international expansion into New Zealand, alongside the production of a documentary ("In Their Own Time and Space") that routes 5% of donations back to the foundation.
Surfers Healing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Surfers Healing
- Legal name
- Surfers Healing Foundation, Inc.
- Website
- https://surfershealing.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Surfers Healing is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1996 that runs free, volunteer-staffed tandem surf camps for children with autism at beaches across the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and New Zealand, serving roughly 4,500-6,000 children annually through individual donations and corporate sponsorships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Surfers Healing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Therapeutic Recreation Services
- NAICS
- Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Child and Youth Services (624110)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Surf Schools & Surf Camps (THAAAKAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps) (THAJAJAJ)
Keywords
Where Surfers Healing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mission Viejo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Surfers Healing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible contributions from individual donors. The organization is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit. Donations fund life vests, wetsuits, surfboards, beach permits, insurance, and travel sponsorships for families who cannot afford to attend.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners provide resources, money, and manpower. Partners include automotive (Ford, Shelly Automotive), financial (JPMorganChase, Bain Capital, Edelman Financial Engines), surf/outdoor brands (Hobie, Mustang Survival, Maui Jim, Roshambo Eyewear), retail (Bloomingdale's), and autism-focused organizations (NEXT for AUTISM, For Autistic Kids, Luv Michael, Autism Family Services of New Jersey).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | One-time event | Free surf camp for children with autism |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Surfers Healing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Surfers Healing provides free one-day surf camps for children with autism at beaches across the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and New Zealand, pairing participants with trained volunteer instructors on tandem surfboards. The organization also operates an online donation platform (via Acceptiva) for tax-deductible contributions and a camp registration system with lottery and waitlist functionality for high-demand locations. It supports its mission through corporate sponsorships and produces the documentary "In Their Own Time and Space" about co-founder Izzy Paskowitz and his son Isaiah.
Product overview
Surfers Healing is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1996 that operates the original surf camp for children with autism. The organization offers a single unified service: free one-day surf camps where volunteer instructors take children with autism out on tandem surfboards to experience the therapeutic benefits of riding waves. Supporting services include an online donation platform (via Acceptiva) for tax-deductible contributions and a camp registration system with lottery and waitlist functionality. The organization also produces 'In Their Own Time and Space,' a documentary about co-founder Izzy Paskowitz and his son Isaiah. Camps are held at beaches across the United States, Mexico, New Zealand, and Puerto Rico, serving approximately 6,000 children annually at over 20 locations per year.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 4,500-6,000 children with autism served annually
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Surfers Healing
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Surfers Healing technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Surfers Healing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Autism Family Services of New JerseycoreNon-profit partner co-hosting the Belmar, NJ camp on September 13, 2026. Provides autism family services support.
- Baker Commodities, Inc.minorCorporate sponsor contributing resources to support Surfers Healing operations.
- Belmar First Aid SquadcoreLocal first aid partner supporting safety operations at Belmar, NJ camp location.
- Bloomingdale'scoreMajor retail partner providing support for camps and operations.
- BossTekminorCorporate sponsor supporting Surfers Healing operations.
- Brawner BoardscoreSurfboard manufacturer partner providing boards for camps.
- Double GoodminorCorporate sponsor supporting fundraising and events.
- East End Disability AssociatescoreDisability services organization partner supporting autism programs.
- The Eddie Aikau FoundationcoreSurf community foundation partner supporting Waikiki camp and 30th Anniversary National Celebration on November 28, 2026.
- Farmers InsurancecoreMajor corporate sponsor providing insurance-related support and resources.
- For Autistic KidscoreAutism-focused non-profit partner supporting autism awareness and programs.
- FordcoreMajor automotive sponsor providing transportation support and resources for camps.
- HobiecoreSurfboard and watercraft manufacturer providing boards for camps and programs.
- HugominorNew Zealand-based charitable trust supporting international camps.
- Lugano DiamondsminorLuxury goods partner supporting events and fundraising.
- Luv MichaelcoreAutism-focused non-profit partner hosting Southampton, NY camp on September 15, 2026.
- Maui JimcoreEyewear brand partner providing sunglasses for participants and volunteers.
- Mokulele AirlinescoreHawaiian airline partner providing flight support for Hawaii camps and travel assistance.
- Mustang SurvivalcoreMarine safety equipment manufacturer providing life vests and survival gear for camps.
- NEXT for AUTISMcoreNational autism non-profit alliance partner supporting programs and awareness.
- The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna NiguelcoreLuxury hotel partner providing event support and hospitality for Southern California camps.
- Shelly AutomotiveminorAuto dealership providing vehicle support and community outreach for local camps.
- Surfers' Environmental AllianceminorEnvironmental organization partner supporting ocean conservation awareness at camps.
- Colby KotzencoreProducer/Director of documentary 'In Their Own Time and Space'. 5% of documentary donations go directly to Surfers Healing. Film documents co-founder Izzy Paskowitz and his son Isaiah.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Surfers Healing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- AccessSurf Hawaii: Hawaii-based adaptive surfing non-profit providing free beach and surf experiences to individuals with disabilities. Geographic overlap with Surfers Healing's Hawaii camps and shared adaptive surf mission.
Emerging players
- Challenge Aspen: Non-profit offering adaptive recreation and outdoor experiences for people with disabilities. Adjacent mission (disability recreation) with broader activity mix, providing a model for adaptive recreation programming scaling.
Direct peers
- Best Day Foundation: Non-profit providing free adaptive beach and surf experiences to children with special needs, including autism. Comparable in providing free, event-style outdoor recreation for special-needs children with volunteer-driven operations.
- Life Rolls On: Adaptive surfing non-profit founded after a spinal cord injury, providing free surf experiences to people with disabilities including autism. Closest comparable peer in mission, target population, and beach-camp delivery model.
- Mauli Ola Foundation: Surf-therapy non-profit leveraging ocean experiences for individuals with genetic disorders (notably cystic fibrosis) and other special needs. Comparable adaptive surf therapy model and volunteer/pro-surfer engagement approach.
- NEXT for AUTISM: National autism non-profit alliance partner of Surfers Healing. Direct peer in serving the autism community with mission-aligned programs; partnership reflects overlapping beneficiary base.
- A Walk on Water: Non-profit that uses surf therapy specifically for children with special needs, including autism. Mirrors Surfers Healing's tandem-board instructor model and one-day beach camp format on the West Coast.
- Waves of Impact: Non-profit organization using surfing as therapy for individuals with special needs, including autism. Direct operational partner co-hosting the Galveston, TX camp with Surfers Healing in September 2026, and operates in a comparable adaptive surf therapy model.
- For Autistic Kids: Autism-focused non-profit partner organization of Surfers Healing. Operates in the same autism services mission space and supports Surfers Healing's awareness and program efforts.
Broad incumbents
- Surfrider Foundation: Established national surf-focused non-profit (though primarily focused on coastal environmental advocacy). Comparable as a major surf-community nonprofit brand with corporate sponsorship and grassroots volunteer infrastructure.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Surfers Healing social profiles
Digital presenceSurfers Healing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Surfers Healing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Surfers Healing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Surfers Healing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Surfers Healing
What does Surfers Healing do?
Surfers Healing provides free one-day surf camps for children with autism at beaches across the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and New Zealand, pairing participants with trained volunteer instructors on tandem surfboards. The organization also operates an online donation platform (via Acceptiva) for tax-deductible contributions and a camp registration system with lottery and waitlist functionality for high-demand locations. It supports its mission through corporate sponsorships and produces the documentary "In Their Own Time and Space" about co-founder Izzy Paskowitz and his son Isaiah.
Is Surfers Healing a public or private company?
Surfers Healing is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Surfers Healing founded?
Surfers Healing was founded in 1996. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Surfers Healing based?
Surfers Healing is headquartered in Mission Viejo, United States, in the North America region.
How does Surfers Healing make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships.
Who are Surfers Healing's main competitors?
AccessSurf Hawaii is listed as a regional player. Challenge Aspen is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Best Day Foundation, Life Rolls On, Mauli Ola Foundation, NEXT for AUTISM, A Walk on Water, Waves of Impact and For Autistic Kids. Surfrider Foundation is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Surfers Healing have an API?
No public API is recorded for Surfers Healing.
What industry is Surfers Healing in?
Surfers Healing's product category is Therapeutic Recreation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAKAC, Surf Schools & Surf Camps, with a secondary code of THAJAJAJ, Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps). Its NAICS code is 61162.