On a vibrant summer morning in Rockaway Beach, NY, I had the privilege of photographing an unforgettable adaptive surf event hosted by Play It Forward / Wheeling Forward. The beach came alive with joy, energy, and the unmistakable spirit of community as hundreds gathered to support and celebrate adaptive athletes of all ages and abilities.
Though unofficial, the numbers speak volumes: 130 participants, 350 volunteers, and over 700 people on the beach all united by the shared goal of making the ocean accessible to everyone.
There were several talented photographers on hand to help capture the magic of the day, including my friend Michael Silverstein, whose lens always finds the right place at the right time. It was a collaborative effort to document the stoke, the connection, and the sense of purpose that filled the shoreline.
One crew I was especially happy to see in action was the Blue Team a group of friends from Skudin Surf, including Rockaway Beach local Jeff Anthony, as well as Shane, Leslie, and others. It was awesome to watch them doing what they do best in the water: lifting others up, keeping everyone safe, and making sure every wave was a good time.
What made the day even more special was seeing so many familiar faces from both the athletes and the volunteers. These shared experiences over the years have built something deeper than just community; it’s a family, reunited by the ocean.
From first time surfers to seasoned adaptive athletes, the stoke was contagious. Whether standing up, paddling in, or catching a wave tandem style, each surf session ended in smiles, high-fives, and loud cheers from the sand.
Photographing this event was more than just documenting a day at the beach, it was capturing a movement. One that proves that when you remove barriers and bring people together, the ocean becomes a place of freedom, confidence, and pure joy.
A huge shoutout to Jason Kahn, Alex Elegudin, and Sebastian Berdichevsky of Play It Forward for organizing this incredible day, and to every volunteer who showed up with open hearts and sandy feet. Rockaway was more than just waves that day, it was a wave of unity, inclusion, and hope.
Gear Used
Camera: Sony a9
Links for all of Jay’s commonly used photo gear!
