Children with autism spectrum disorder and their families in Tauranga can join Surfers Healing for a “powerful experience” on February 1.

“You’re getting these amazing specialised surfers, these water champs, these famous surfers coming to our little end of the world,” Spectrum Connections founder Mary-Jane du Toit said.

Children on the autism spectrum fear everything and get overwhelmed very quickly, du Toit said.

“We’ve been to the last three years. This will be our fourth year going to Surfers Healing, and it’s an amazing opportunity.”

Kids with autism spectrum disorder will get to ride the waves of Mount Maunganui with Surfers Healing, on February 1.

Three free surf sessions will be in the morning, sorting participants into groups and providing lifejackets and wet suits.

Spectrum Connections is a charitable trust set up by du Toit to help support families and their children who often battle social isolation.

“What we find with our families is that, you know, it’s so hard when you have kids with a hidden disability because they look like everyone else,” she said. “But don’t act like everyone else.”

At Surfers Healing, du Toit said there will be a gazebo set up on the beach, allowing families who often “stay at home” a chance to socialise with like-minded people.

All of the surfing is done in tandem so that the kids will be on the boards with the professionals, with life jackets and limited wet suits provided.

Ten professional surfers – passionate about getting kids out on to the waves of Mount Maunganui – will teach about 90 kids on February 1, Surfers Healing organiser Tom Mason said. “The most special thing is that we pretty much get an hour with each kid.”

Surfers Healing can be transformational for kids, adults and the surfer, Mason said.

“Quite often, the kid will come in, and the family’s crying on the beach, and you’re more often than not you end up in tears on a day.”

All of the surfing is done in tandem, so that the kids will be on the boards with the professionals, with lifejackets and limited wet suits provided, Mason said.

Professional surfer Israel and his wife Danielle Paskowitzf founded Surfers Healing in 1996 because of their son, Isaiah, who has autism.

Since then, it has grown, and in one event in New York they can attract 400 kids a day and participants are in the water every hour, Mason said.

Mason joined Surf Healing at 17, introduced by Ian Reeder, who helped establish the charity in Raglan before it moved to Mount Maunganui.

“It was pretty, pretty wild over there,” he said.

“We bought it to the Mount because we could get to so many more families, and the conditions were more mellow, perfect for what we do.”