So, there I was again— Skudin Surf @ American Dream Mall, second day in a row, up at 6 AM. Time to hop in the car and make that drive from Long Island to East Rutherford. My preferred route? Straight. Straight through the Midtown Tunnel, across the city, and into the Lincoln Tunnel. If all the stars align, that drive can be a smooth 40 minutes. But let’s be real, traffic usually has other plans.
Today’s mission was an event with my friend Jason’s nonprofit, Play It Forward.
Play It Forward is dedicated to empowering children, adults, and veterans with disabilities to overcome barriers through adaptive sports. Their programs are designed to foster an inclusive world where disabilities don’t limit potential. Through these transformative experiences, participants find a sense of community, self-discovery, and personal growth.
As usual, the wave pool staff, alongside Play It Forward volunteers, worked seamlessly to create an incredible experience for the adaptive surfers. Seeing the joy and determination on the participants’ faces never gets old. Each wave they caught was a moment of triumph, a testament to the power of perseverance and support.
And of course, I had the privilege of capturing it all. Freezing these moments through my lens is always an honor—witnessing and sharing these powerful stories fuels my passion for photography.
Another day, another incredible session in the books. Can’t wait for the next one.
Gear Used
Camera: Sony a9i
Seafrogs Dive Housing
Links for all of Jay’s commonly used photo gear!
