⚠️ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 8, 2025 ⚠️
Surf For Special Needs Postpones Aunty Joy’s 7th Annual Memorial Surf Day Due to High Surf Conditions.
Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi — Surf For Special Needs (S4SN) has announced the postponement of Aunty Joy Keahi Mills’ 7th Annual Memorial Therapeutic Surf Day, originally scheduled for Saturday, August 9, 2025, due to a High Surf Advisory posted by U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) forecasted to escalate to High Surf Warning levels.
Following close consultation with Ocean Safety Professionals, S4SN has made the difficult but necessary decision to postpone the event in order to prioritize the safety of all participants, volunteers, and families. The organization remains deeply committed to providing inclusive, accessible, and safe ocean experiences for individuals with disabilities and the wider island community.
“The ocean is central to our mission, but safety always comes first,” said Tifani Stegehuis, Vice President of Surf For Special Needs and Executive Manager of Hawaiʻi Lifeguard Surf Instructors. “We are incredibly grateful to our volunteers, sponsors, and ʻohana for their understanding and continued support. Aunty Joy’s legacy deserves a day filled with aloha—but her life’s work was Ocean Safety, and we look forward to honoring her on a safer surf date.”
“To all our excited surfers and families, we send our heartfelt apologies,” added Star Shortt, President of Surf For Special Needs. “We know how much this day means to you, and we feel the disappointment too. But your safety is everything to us—and we can’t wait to get everyone back in the water very soon on a safer day filled with joy and connection.”
Surf For Special Needs is actively working to reschedule the event for late September or early October, and will announce the new date once confirmed. All registered surf participants, volunteers, and sponsors will be warmly welcomed back to Kahaluʻu Bay to celebrate community, inclusion, and the healing power of the ocean.
We thank you for your continued support and understanding, and look forward to sharing waves and smiles together very soon.
Team Contacts:
Tifani Stegehuis- Vice President, S4SN
tifani@surf4sn.org
Star Shortt President, S4SN
star@surf4sn.org
- S4SN Official 2025 Event Shirt Fundraiser -
Order Pick Ups Ready Wednesday 08/13
Pickup Location: Hawaii Lifeguard Surf Instructors' Office Location
75-5909 Ali'i Drive from 8am-5pm
Contact Tifani@surf4sn.org
Mahalo For Your Orders
Our Fundraiser Was A True Success
Mahalo to our 2025 Surf Day Event Sponsors & Partners
We are thankful for our community's support in making S4SN events a reality. It requires the effort and dedication of many individuals to bring these events to life. Every S4SN event is entirely made possible by the hard work of volunteers, generous, and our amazing sponsors and donors from the Big Island community who contribute their time and resources to ensure these events take place.
MAHALO TO OUR ANNUAL EVENT SPONSORS
