Surf event puts " smiles on dials "

DISABLED Surfing Australia (DSA) National Secretary Jim Bradley says his group is about "putting smiles on dials" , pictured above are just a fraction of those who were touched on Sunday.

Sunday"s event at Seven Mile Beach, Gerroa, attracted 200 people , participants and volunteers , a record for the South Coast DSA branch.

However, Mr Bradley wasn"t crowing about the record turnout, which included 130 volunteers, 38 participants and 33 carers.

"This isn"t about setting records , it"s about giving these people a chance to do what able-bodied people take for granted," he said.

"These people will never be world champions but they are world champions in terms of courage."

Gerroa resident Peter Bailey, a long-term volunteer with the DSA, said the day was "magic".

"When you get the kids in the water you can hear it in their voices , they love it," he said.

"Kids who just want to go out for a swim see the other kids surfing and want to have a go too."

Among the throng was Kiama resident and DSA Surfer of the Year Eddie Rice.

Eddie"s involvement with the DSA started as a participant and he is now on the group"s South Coast executive.

"Days like this are awesome and are a great opportunity for disabled people to surf," he said.

Eddie travels with Mr Bradley to schools and recruits youngsters to volunteer at DSA events.

Among the volunteers on hand on Sunday were Gerroa"s Club Malnutrition longboard club, Corrimal Surf Club members and students from Illawarra Grammar School.

"We could have a million dollars in the bank but if we don"t have experienced people helping out we can"t run our events," DSA South Coast president Ian Picton said.

Mr Bradley said DSA South Coast"s next event would be held at Culburra Beach on Saturday, November 3.

At the closing ceremony Mr Picton recognised the effort of Corrimal Junior Surf Club, the Wednesday Wheelie Warriors who provided a huge new dimension to the event by giving the participants the chance to experience life on a Harley, Kiama Council for its ongoing support in making Emery Park disability friendly and the local surf industry for providing material support and finally Club Malnutrition, who continue to provide the backbone of volunteer strength.