BELMAR – Children with autism were given the opportunity to surf on Sunday at the 10th annual Beach Bash, the largest event for people with autism in the state, organizers said.

The event, which is focused around the Surfers Healing surf camp, provides activities, food and music on the beach. This year more than 7,000 people were expected to attend, which was more than the previous years, according to Liza Gundell, deputy director for Autism Family Services of New Jersey.

“[The event] gives them the opportunity to make connections and get with other families and also access to support and services that they need,” she said.

Gundell said the event also allows people to be around others who are in similar situations and accepting of all behaviors.

Hazlet resident Patty Vaccarelli brought her 16-year-old son Andy to surf and said everyone was supportive and accepting of his behaviors.

“Normally in the community I’m always on guard that somebody’s going to get upset with that kind of behavior but here it’s totally okay and that’s such a relief,” she said. “The fact that this is all volunteer and everyone is so supportive, it’s just such a fantastic service they’re doing for these children.”

Toms River residents Craig and Lisa Roemer said their twin 16-year-old sons Zachary and Daniel love the ocean and surfing.

“It’s a fantastic event and we’d love to see more like this,” Craig Roemer said.

California native Izzy Paskowitz and his wife Danielle co-founded the organization Surfers Healing.

“I was meant to do this,” Paskowitz said. “I didn’t want to but I love it now. It’s such an honor to be here.”

Paskowitz said Surfers Healing started when his now 23-year-old son Isaiah was younger and he didn’t know how to connect with him because he had autism. Being an ex-pro surfer and wanting his son to follow in his footsteps as he did with his father, Paskowitz did the only thing he knew and that was bringing his son in the ocean.

“It calmed his sensory overload, it gave him gave him a sense of peace,” Paskowitz said.

After surfing at the Beach Bash, 7-year-old Frankie Cappello, of Highlands, ran up to Paskowitz and told him how much he enjoyed it. Cappello said he liked standing up on the board the best and was excited to get his first trophy.

“I thought surfing was very fun,” Cappello said. “Surfers Healing is one of the best surfing teams in the whole entire world.”

Ashley Peskoe may be reached at apeskoe@nj.com. Follow her on Twitter @ashleypeskoe. Find NJ.com on Facebook.