photo credit: Melissa Hayes
Frequently Asked Questions
Volunteers
How do I register? The event page does not have that option.
Registration opens approximately 45 days prior to the event. Look out for reminders on our website and social media sites.
Can I walk-up and volunteer the day of event instead of registering?
While we do accept walk-up volunteers, we encourage everyone to register pre-event. Not only does this help us prepare for the event itself by knowing how many will be participating, it also increases the likelihood that we can place you in your preferred role. After registering, if you find you can no longer make it, you can easily cancel your spot using the confirmation email all register volunteer receive.
As a new volunteer, will I receive training to volunteer?
At the beginning of each TWSA event, we hold a safety briefing for all water volunteers where they are given pointers for how to best support our athletes during their surf session. Each team’s captains also cover safety tips prior to their first surfer of the day.
What if I can’t stay for the entire event?
Because we schedule athletes for the whole event, it is always ideal for our awesome volunteers to stay for the whole event. However, we understand that isn’t always an option for everyone.
There are two roles that require only a few hours: Early Morning Set-up and Afternoon Breakdown. These two roles run from 6:00 - 8:00 am and 2:00 - 4:00 pm, respectively. While only a few hours, the extra set of hands during set up and/or breakdown are always incredibly helpful. Plus, these shortened roles may allow you to stick around for a bit to cheer on our amazing surfers beforehand or after. You can sign up for either role by registering.
How do the different color teams work? Does it matter which color I sign up for?
With over 100 adaptive surfers and 300 water volunteers, we separate our 10 different teams into different colors in order to make it easy to visibly identify them among each other while out in the waves. There is no actual difference between each team color.
In fact, for safety reasons, we aim to place the same number of water volunteers on each team, and in each role, in order for each team to have the support required for a safe surfing experience for each adaptive athlete. This is also why we are unable to guarantee placement on a specific “color” as we want to make sure each color has the number of volunteers they need. While we always do our best to assign you to your requested team, sometimes safety concerns require us to move people around.
Typically, choosing a team color is geared more towards returning water volunteers who have built relationships with other volunteers/athletes and want to serve on the same team during the event. If this is your first-time volunteering by yourself, in the water, you can simply select “No Preference” and we will place you on a team.
Rest assured, one thing we CAN guarantee though is that each color team offers the same unforgettable experience for every one of our amazing volunteers and athletes!
My organization is signing up as a large group. Can we be on the same team together?
We always do our best to place friends and/or volunteers from the same organization, who are signing up for water roles, on the same color team. However, depending on the size of the group, safety concerns occasionally require us place volunteers on two different teams. Typically, this involves large group of 20+ volunteers since there is only a limited number of water roles (deep water, mid water, shallow water) per color team. If that were to happen, rest assured each volunteer from that large group will not be alone and will be surrounded by a number of their group members on their same team color to as they help in the water.
A reminder that those signing up from a large group for a land support role are not placed on a specific color team. However, they will have plenty of opportunities to connect with other group members and cheer on athletes in the water as well.
VOLUNTEER ROLES
Volunteer Roles On Land
Early Morning Set-up
Don't have time to spend the whole day at an event? No problem! Volunteer for Early Morning Set-up which is usually from 6am-8am. Set-up volunteers unload tables, flags, tents, surfboards, beach wheelchairs, etc. Stay for as long as you can after to watch some athletes in the water and enjoy the overall vibe of the event!
Registration
We need outgoing, enthusiastic volunteers to welcome everyone to the event. From helping check in hundreds of volunteers and athletes, you are key to our event starting on time and running smoothly. More importantly, you will be helping to create a welcoming, high-energy vibe. Remember, there will be many people – both athletes and volunteers – experiencing Life Rolls On for the first time. They might have had to summon significant courage just to show up. You hold the key to welcoming and reassuring them. Your role is mission-critical!
Hospitality
Are you a natural host or hostess? This is for you! From making sure our athletes have the right safety equipment to keeping our volunteers stay fueled for an energetic day, hospitality plays a huge part in making sure our event continues to run smoothly throughout the day. In addition to serving lunch to hundreds of volunteers, you will be helping to create a feeling of BELONGING as you connect and listen to people’s stores about why they are participating in They Will Surf Again.
Athlete support
This role is responsible for making sure your team’s next surfer is “on deck” and ready to go for their 30 min surf session in order to minimize delay. This enables us to get as many adaptive athletes on the water as possible throughout the day. This involves locating each adaptive surfer, helping them transfer in and out of beach wheelchairs (if need), helping push them to your team’s current location in preparation for their set, and keeping track overall of which surfers are in and out of the water for your team. Additionally, you may be asked to assist in checking out equipment and jersey for them. Partnered with another person, this role helps our event run smoothly and is a great opportunity to get to know each athlete and their family! This is a great role for those with previous experience working with in rehabilitation or physical therapy or with those with disabilities.
Photography
Your photography is the key to communicating the Life Rolls On mission to people all over the world, including people who can't make it to our events in person. This role MATTERS as it helps remind that anything is possible, and that life is defined by perspective, not circumstance.
Medical tent
This team will be running our medical tent to address any injuries our athletes or volunteers may have throughout the day. Typically, this role is filled by volunteers currently working in the medical or nursing field.
Afternoon Breakdown & Clean-up
Are you a can-do take-charge person? Please sign up for Afternoon Breakdown, which is usually between 2pm-4pm. We need an amazing crew to break down tables, tents, flags, beach wheelchairs, surfboards, walkways, etc.; organize equipment; and get it all back into the truck, so we can take it back to the storage facility.
Volunteer Roles In Water
DEEP WATER
While you do not have to be a pro surfer, you should be very strong and comfortable in the ocean. A background in competitive swimming, paddle boarding, water polo, or surfing will help immensely in this role as you will be treading water and helping athletes catch waves in the deeper water. Those in this role typically bring a wetsuit since they are in the water for an extended period.
MID WATER
You help guide the board, and help communicate between the Deep Water and the Shallow Water volunteers. This is a good fit for those who are more comfortable in the ocean and may have a background in swimming, paddle boarding, water polo, or surfing
SHALLOW WATER
You will be helping the adaptive athletes get situated on the board, pushing or lifting (as a team) them out from shore, and catching them as they return to the beach. You also set the vibe, creating a sense of community and enthusiasm through cheering the athletes on every step of the way. This role is great for first-time water volunteers or those who want to be in the water but are not ready for mid-water.
Who Volunteers With Life Rolls On?
Individuals
Volunteering with Life Rolls On is a great way to give back and make new friends. If you don't know anyone in Life Rolls On, or don't know quite what to do...don't worry! This is the warmest, most welcoming group in the world. Come on out! We'll make it the best day ever!
Families
We have more and more families volunteering...it's a beautiful way to spend the day together.
Teams – From Companies, Schools or Athletic Organizations
Want to build trust, productivity and long-lasting connections? Bring your group! We promise you will build relationships and leave inspired! Please note: when registering, have each of your people indicate the organization name (i.e. Delta Airlines, USC Journalism Department, LA Galaxy, etc.) on the registration form.
DEEP SEA Fishing
You don't need to be a pro fisherman to volunteer! However, you do need to be knowledgable with tying fishing knots, baiting hooks, removing fish from the hook, etc. You will be helping adaptive athletes throughout the day. You should be very comfortable on a boat and not get sea sick on the ocean. Our deep sea fishing trips usually lasts around 5-6 hours. We want these trips to be very peaceful and relaxing, yet exciting and exhilarating for our adaptive athletes.
Skate Park
You don't need to know how skate to be an amazing volunteer. You'll be pushing athletes up the sides of the skate park, and spotting the little shredders. We promise it will be one of the most joy-filled days of your life.
