Surfers with a Cause

Ever dreamed of owning a board signed by big wave charger Laird Hamilton or shredding on a stick handcrafted for Kelly Slater? How about displaying world champion Lisa Anderson’s personal board over your fireplace or hanging a Wyland hand-painted original in the den? As part of their Community Footprints Program, created to facilitate local outreach, volunteerism, fundraising, and mentoring programs, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel will host the second annual Holiday Surfboard Auction to raise money for Surfers Healing. Founded by Israel and Danielle Paskowitz, Surfers Healing provides camps for autistic children and their families so all can experience the therapeutic properties of getting in the water and trying the sport.

The Paskowitz clan, aka “the first family of surfing,” have been teaching the sport and creating surfers for over 35 years. Izzy Paskowitz, son of the legendary surfer Dorian “Doc” Paskowitz, founded Surfers Healing after his son Isaiah was diagnosed with autism at age three. With the ocean serving as a place of calm for his child, as most autistic kids suffer from sensory overload, Izzy began surfing with his child and saw a profound positive effect. He and his wife then felt other autistic child should experience surfing as a therapy and for its magical fun. Together with The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, they have rallied iconic surf figures and companies to donate boards that will be on view on property in the lobby area of the hotel from November 22 through December 31st.  If you are not able to visit the hotel, you can view the boards online, and then call the concierge to make your bid.

For those interested in viewing the boards on site and making a vacation of it, check into The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel which sits regally on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific in Dana Point. Steeped in surfing history, Dana Point is home to the first retail surf shop and Surfer Magazine. While in town, experience authentic SoCal lifestyle by getting into the curl, as The Ritz-Carlton has partnered with Billabong to create a surf experience package. Beginners get a two-hour lesson in the cove while experienced surfers go on a four-hour adventure to one of the local breaks. The Billabong Surf Experience includes private lessons, equipment, accommodations, parking and resort fees for $495 per night until Dec 31st. The resort also offers ocean view romantic dining at Restaurant 162′, along with a sophisticated wine, cheese and chocolate tasting room called ENO for culinary sensory bliss.

Then be sure to bid on a board and send an autistic child to surf camp where they can experience the healing powers of the ocean and the freedom of the ride.

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
1 Ritz-Carlton Drive
Dana Point, CA 92629
949-240-2000