We’re pleased to include this report from Jim Bradley on last week’s Disabled Surfers event:

283 hardy disabled surfers took to the waves last Sunday at the annual ‘Hands on Day’ at Gerroa.

And when we say ‘waves’ we mean genuinely big waves – 4m plus. While all the able bodied surfers of the region were wisely dogging it (surfing translation: ‘piking it’) due to the daunting conditions, 40 participants including 12 wheelies, were out there carving.

Running three boards, the small army of 170 water volunteers, using ‘world’s best practice’ as developed by the Disabled Surfers Association of Australia, ensured the event was conducted safely at all times.

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Even our own irrepressible Kelly McCann, a C2 quad, surfed the big foamy waves, being resuscitated the whole time. Inspirational.

Big thanks go to all involved including the students from surrounding high schools – Kiama, Bomaderry and TIGS (they were absolutely brilliant), as well as the Sutherland Shire Scouts, Bunnings for the BBQ, local surfers (who like to be able to ‘give back’) and lastly the wave god Huey, who held off the rain until the event was over.

For next year’s events or for any news of the DSAA see www.disabledsurfers.org

Lastly, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Disabled Surfers Association. We now have 16 branches across all mainland states,
totally run by volunteers with no government recognition or funding as we fall through the cracks.

Cowabunga dudes!