Arunay Foundation hosts annual walkathon for beach safety

The Arunay Foundation, set up by an Indian American family who lost their 12-year-old son to a drowning accident in 2021, hosted its Annual Fundraiser 5K/10K Walkathon on Sunday to raise awareness about beach safety.

The foundation was started by Sharmistha Chakraborty and Tarun Pruthi in June 2021, following the tragic loss of their son, Arunay, who drowned at Cowell Ranch on Half Moon Bay in January 2021. The family’s goal was to ensure that no other family has to endure the pain they experienced.

The foundation’s mission is to “equip, educate, and inform,” said Chakraborty, Arunay’s mother, founder, and executive director of the foundation, in an interview with Desimax. The organization aims to reduce beach accidents and coastal drownings by raising awareness and educating the public about sneaker waves, rip currents, and other hazardous beach conditions. Its focus is on making Northern California’s beaches safer by designing and implementing effective measures that can save lives. The foundation’s approach is structured around three pillars: “Educate, Equip, and Inform.”

As part of its education drive, the foundation has been visiting schools with lifeguards and aquatic experts to discuss water safety and drowning prevention, Chakraborty said. “Drowning is the biggest cause of death among kids under 14,” she pointed out, adding that schoolchildren are often near water but are less likely to be prepared for water-related emergencies. She emphasized the need for water safety drills in schools, similar to earthquake and fire drills, to better prepare children for real-life situations around water.

The walkathon event took place at Quarry Lakes Park in Fremont, California, with both the 5K and 10K routes leading participants through scenic packed gravel trails around the park. The 10K runners completed the course by looping through it twice. The event began at 9 am with talks on beach safety and concluded with the acknowledgment of walkathon finishers and a medal distribution. A special booth was set up to allow finishers to take photos and selfies with their medals, adding a celebratory atmosphere to the event.

The second annual event also featured several beach safety education booths with information about the life-ring equipment the foundation aims to install on beaches. These ring stations include life-saving buoys and 100-foot ropes that can be used in emergencies. “We equip the shores with life-saving ring stations, which are installed on a very strong pillar near the beaches,” Chakraborty explained. She noted that such rings are common on beaches in many European countries and play a crucial role in emergency response.

In addition to the educational displays, children participated in beach safety quizzes and games at the booths, winning prizes as they learned about the importance of beach safety. There were also booths set up by various other non-profits and sponsors supporting the cause.

“We cannot make a difference without your support and help,” the foundation stated in its invitation, encouraging people to participate in the walkathon and join the mission to make beaches safer. All proceeds from the walkathon will be donated to improve beach safety through the installation of life-saving equipment and continued educational efforts.