SUPA Society

03/15/2026

I am absolutely in shock and honoured I was nominated and awarded this year’s Tim Jones award.

I want to thank my wife who is the back bone of the family. My son for teaching me everyday.

Thanks also goes to my board of directors past and present and to everyone who has supported us at the beginning and for seeing our vision and turning it into 15 years of inclusion and most of all smiles for miles! Thank you Michele, Myro, Kate, Bill, and the Rip Curl crew and so many more, you know who you are! And an amazing thank you to the thousands of kiddos and families who trusted us and allowed us into your lives these past 15 years.

To Anita, Jim, Jane, Chelsea, Liam and B for coming out and supporting.

To the selection committee, Thank you!

To Taylor, Richard and Seineke, you all made my night so comfortable and easy.

Thank you to for the applause and cheers to everyone!

Dennis Nerpio, founder of SUPA Society, never set out to win an award. He simply started as a dad looking for ways to connect with his son after he was diagnosed with autism.

One day in Tofino, standing in the cold Pacific Ocean, Dennis watched his five-year-old son ride a surfboard all the way to shore. In that moment everything changed. It wasn’t just a wave — it was confidence, joy, and freedom.

That single moment planted a seed.

In 2012 Dennis created Surf’s Up, giving children on the autism spectrum the chance to experience surfing in a safe and supportive environment.

What started with a handful of families has grown into something incredible. Each year more than 100 children from across BC come to Tofino to surf — many for the very first time.

That same spirit had grown into Autism Skateboard Day and Autism Snowboard Day, opening doors for these kids to experience skate parks and mountains too.

The events are free and powered entirely by volunteers, including Dennis himself.

He never did it for recognition. He did it because he believed every child deserved the same chance his son had.
One father watched his son ride a wave — and turned that moment into something that has changed countless lives 🌊

Learn more: https://vimff.org/tim-jones-award/

03/06/2026

Big congrats to Jeff, Suzanne and The Surfside Grill team. They have been long time friends and supporters of Surf’s Up for Autism event.Today we were invited to their soft opening at their new forever home at if your in town for spring break make sure you pop in grab some awesome food!
Stoked for the Surfside fam!❤️🙏🤙🏽

02/10/2026

Just a reminder if you have not yet registered there is only 1 week left after Feb 15th there will be no late applications accepted.

We are excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for Surf’s Up 2026! 🏄🏽‍♀️ until February 15th.
 
Surf’s Up is a welcoming and inclusive surfing event hosted in Tofino BC by SUPA Society, and in partnership with the Hirst Family and Rip Curl Canada. The event invites kids on the autism spectrum and their siblings (ages 7-17 at the time of the event) to participate in a supported surf lesson, and a fun day for the whole family! 
 
This year, we are stoked to celebrate 15 years of fun and inclusivity in surf, sun and sand. The event will take place on Saturday, September 12th. If you would like to participate, please fill out this form by February 15th.

➡  https://bit.ly/3MdeVbj
Link in bio
 
*Please note: Families are responsible for their own transportation and accommodation costs, however the event itself is free. All participants must provide and wear a life jacket. Registration is NOT first come, first served. Applying for this event does not guarantee you a spot. Families who we are able to accommodate will be contacted.
*please note, no late applications will be considered.

Please keep an eye out for volunteer opportunities and how to get involved later this month on our social media

02/01/2026

We are excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for Surf’s Up 2026! 🏄🏽‍♀️ until February 15th.

Surf’s Up is a welcoming and inclusive surfing event hosted in Tofino BC by SUPA Society, and in partnership with the Hirst Family and Rip Curl Canada. The event invites kids on the autism spectrum and their siblings (ages 7-17 at the time of the event) to participate in a supported surf lesson, and a fun day for the whole family!

This year, we are stoked to celebrate 15 years of fun and inclusivity in surf, sun and sand. The event will take place on Saturday, September 12th. If you would like to participate, please fill out this form by February 15th.

➡ https://bit.ly/3MdeVbj

*Please note: Families are responsible for their own transportation and accommodation costs, however the event itself is free. All participants must provide and wear a life jacket. Registration is NOT first come, first served. Applying for this event does not guarantee you a spot. Families who we are able to accommodate will be contacted.
*please note, no late applications will be considered.

Please keep an eye out for volunteer opportunities and how to get involved later this month on our social media

01/27/2026

We’re thrilled to announce that September 12, 2026 SUPA Society will be celebrating Surf’s Up for Autism’s 15th Year Anniversary.

Surfs Up is a welcoming and inclusive surfing event hosted in Tofino, BC by SUPA Society. The event invites kids on the autism spectrum and their siblings (ages 7-17 at the time of the event) to participate in a supported surf lesson, and a fun day for the whole family at the beach!

We are stoked to announce that registration to apply will open February 1st, 2026.

Shout out to for the beauty of a poster.

Stay tuned for registration updates.

*𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒: 𝐹𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑠, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑡𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 𝑖𝑠 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒. 𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑡. 𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑁𝑂𝑇 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒, 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑.

01/26/2026

12/20/2025

Last night was the SUPA skate-a-thon fundraiser.
Vancouver Minor Hockey Association
A-1 U15 vs C1 U18.
A great night for a great cause. Helping raise funds to support Surf’s Up Event!

Everyone skated hard and had fun. The night was hugely successful as they raised over $6000!!!
Thank you to everyone that donated, participated and skated!!

12/15/2025

Yesterday we delivered some Christmas spirit. Dropped off some treats made by local kid bakers from Triple J Kidz Bakery! Thanks to our local sponsors of Surf’s Up Event WOLF in the FOG Pacific Surf School Pacific Sands Beach Resort Surf Sister Surf School Tofino Surf Adventures Tofino Co-op Long Beach Surf Shop Long Beach Lodge Resort Ocean Village in Tofino, BC Surfgrove Surfside Grill Tofino Kombucha District of Tofino

11/28/2025

This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to join SUPA Society in making a lasting impact. Our mission is to empower, uplift, and create meaningful change in our community — but we can’t do it without you.

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue our work. Together, we can turn compassion into action and build a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

✨ Your support today makes a SUPA difference.
Donate, share, or volunteer — every act of generosity counts.
click the link to donate
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/supa-surfs-up-for-autism-society/impact/view/