By Donald B Kravitz
Michael (Mike) Woodside, Vice President of Entertainment & Marketing at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City, has been a longtime friend and supporter of the surfing community. Amidst his busy schedule, Woodside makes it a priority to carve out time to catch some waves.
Heart of Surfing is a local non-profit organization that offers free adaptive surfing for families with autism and other developmental disabilities. In 2022, when the organization caught Woodside’s attention, he did not hesitate to inquire how Hard Rock could help.
“Hard Rock embraces the philosophy that philanthropy is a big part of the organization that drives us to give back to the community where we work and play,” said Woodside in a recent interview. “Part of that philosophy is hiring people who are compassionate that work in all our departments, and we appreciate our employees at every level who volunteer and who care about our visitors and their neighbors.”
With over 3,600 team members, 89% of Hard Rock employees are Atlantic County residents, with 23% being from Atlantic City.
“When we became aware of how much joy and happiness Heart of Surfing was providing the participants with developmental disabilities, we were anxious to be able to lend our support,” explained Woodside. “We are grateful to be located on a beach where we could accommodate the event and to see our employees so excited to volunteer, both on the beach and in the water.”
After the large turnout last summer, Woodside and the Hard Rock team were eager to head back to the beach this summer to partner with Heart of Surfing.
The first sponsored surfing event took place on the beach in front of Hard Rock, Atlantic City (Pennsylvania Avenue), on July 24, 2022, with over one hundred surfers in participation. Hard Rock, Atlantic City, provided more than forty volunteers in addition to new surfboards, rash guards, and a significant donation of $5,000 to the ongoing HOS events and needs.
This year, Hard Rock will once again sponsor a special event with Heart of Surfing. It will take place on the beach in front of Hard Rock on Aug. 11, 2023 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Each surfer will be accompanied by a volunteer instructor who will focus on creating a positive experience regardless of their current skill level or limitations. For more information or to register please visit heartofsurfing.org/events or call (609) 705-5323.
Photos by Donald B Kravitz
