GRiZ Benefit Concert Raises $30,000 to Support Accessible Surfing for All

As the waves rolled in at the Carolina Beach Pier, so did the charitable contributions. 

Ocean Cure, a nonprofit with a mission to facilitate accessible surfing for all, raised $30,000 over the weekend after partnering up with GRiZ to bring his "GRiZMAS In July" event shoreside. Based in Carolina Beach, the 501c3 non-profit organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with challenges and disabilities through surfing.

The Sunday concert was immediately preceded by the organization’s largest surf camp, "Life Rolls On." In total, roughly 100 adaptive athletes attended while 500 volunteers helped the athletes access the beach in a wheelchair-friendly capacity and mount adaptive surfboards.

“All of our camps are offered free of charge to everybody," Kevin Murphy, founder of Ocean Cure, told Port City Daily. “It’s the one thing we make sure of." Murphy started Ocean Cure in 2009 and facilitates local events on behalf of the global "Life Rolls On" network. 

Murphy, who started Ocean Cure in 2009 and facilitates local events on behalf of the global "Life Rolls On" network, says the organization requires $100,000 to operate annually. Its fundraising partnership with GRiZ marks one of two key events, while the balance comes from individual contributions. This year's collaborative event was considered a major success, especially given the conduct of the community.

"There was a ton of hesitation from council members and the mayor and the police department, the fire department, lifeguards, obviously, knowing more than 3,000 people were coming down to the north end, bringing more traffic,” Murphy added. “But there’s been comments that they were just floored by how there weren’t any major problems.”

Murphy says the funds will be used to purchase essentials such as life jackets, adaptive surfboards and beach-accessible wheelchairs.

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