Special needs children to get a special day on the water

‘Fantastic Paddle’ gives special needs children a unique opportunity

√ Fantastic Friends partners with Longboards at the Beach & Longboards Paddle Co.

Press release

The “Fantastic Paddle” is taking place Saturday, July 25, and it will surely give special needs individuals a memorable experience as a safe, fun activity!

Fantastic Friends of WNY Inc. is partnering with Longboards at the Beach and Longboards Paddle Co. for this waterfront event.

Special needs individuals, ages 5 through adult, will get the opportunity to kayak or paddle board with a 1:1 assistant in small groups for approximately 25 minutes, staying close to shore in shallow water.

Organizers will also have games on land, hot dogs, chips and drinks for participants, who will each receive a beach towel.

“We are so grateful to be able to provide this experience to our kids,” said Debbie Cordone, president of Fantastic Friends of WNY. “We are pleased to have Longboards as a community partner, and we are so thankful for our volunteers who are making this event possible.”

The event will take place from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday at Evangola State Park, Shelter 1A.

Fantastic Friends of WNY is a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) not-for-profit for special needs and individuals of all abilities and ages. The organization has grown from and moved from a 3,000-square-foot facility to a new, 7,000-square-foot facility. It is all-inclusive and open to individuals of all abilities. A few of the disabilities served include Autism, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injury, fetal alcohol syndrome, drug addiction and chronic illness.

Longboards at the Beach and Longboards Paddle Co. is a locally owned and operated company dedicated to providing top-notch SUP yoga, stand-up paddle boarding, and kayaking for Western New Yorkers and visiting guests at multiple locations in the region.