Surfing day anything but a wipe-out
04 May 2009
Karingal clients were among an eager group of people with disabilities to experience the thrill of surfing in March.
Participate Development Manager Lee Considine, who helped organise the day through Disabled Surfers Victoria, said the Ocean Grove surfing experience was completely free and open to people of all abilities.
Amphibious wheelchairs, hoists and other equipment were provided to make the sea accessible to those who could not normally traverse the sand and wade into water.
Surfboards and wetsuits were also provided, he said.
Trained support staff ensured all participants felt confident and safe in the water.
“The aim of the surfing day was less about teaching people to surf than it was about giving people the experience of being on a surfboard,’’ he said.
This often took the form of people lying down on a surfboard, with a support person lying behind them, and being assisted to catch a wave.
Many people with disabilities had never experienced the sensation of swimming in the ocean, let alone riding a wave, Lee said.
Disabled Surfers Victoria is part of The Disabled Surfers Association of Australia (DSA); an independent and completely voluntary surfing organisation that aims to give people with disabilities the chance to enjoy a safe surfing experience.
The association was started in 1986 by surfer Gary Blaschke.
More than 20 years later there are now 12 active branches of DSA operating throughout Australia. Association patrons include Layne Beachley, Pam Burridge and Tom Carroll.