The Disabled Surfers Association (DSA) South Coast is inviting community members and visitors to take part in a fun surfing experience at Gerroa on March 25 from 9am to 1pm.
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The event is open to any person living with a disability, no matter how challenging, with complete water supervision.
South Coast Branch publicity officer Bryan Rugg has been volunteering his time to these events for the best part of a decade.
“We get people living with all types of disabilities and put them onto a surfboard and get them to ride a wave in, we provide volunteers to make sure they get a safe ride,” he said.
“I get such enjoyment from watching someone achieve something they normally wouldn’t be able to.
“Last year I had a 53-year-old man who had lost both of his legs in a motor vehicle accident, and due to our service he was able to get in the surf for the first time since the accident.
“He was still at a point where he was learning to use his prosthetic legs – he thought it was fantastic to be back in the surf.”
Registration for participants is $10 and everyone receives a bag of goodies to take home.
Registration is free for volunteer helpers and should meet at Emery Park at 9am. For giving up your time you will receive a free sausage sizzle.
Find out more on the DSA South Coast Facebook page.
About DSA
The Disabled Surfers Association was established in 1986 by Gary Blaschke after a motorcycle accident in which he lost his knee cap and under went extensive rehabilitation.
Gary saw a void that needed to be filled as over the years, many surfers with disabilities have unfortunately, been loners with no one to help them get back into the water.
Many suffer from disabilities that the general public would not consider a disability.
From asthmatics to joint injuries to paraplegic, many members have found friendship, support and have renewed their interest in surfing.
Gary’s vision quickly extended to all classes of disabilities, as it is today. A total voluntary organisation, which sets world’s best practice for disabled surfers.