3rd Adapted Surfing event  8 December ‘13

80 Disabled people learned to Surf!

This time no one was excluded. For the first time, blind, deaf and autistic people could join in the fun. With the additional volunteering power from the NSRI , the 3rd Adapted Surfing event was truly a day to remember! 80 people with various disabilities experienced the freedom and fun of surfing a wave. We had a great team of sponsors and partners that helped to make this day a success. Thank you to WaveJet SA, Surf Zone, Billabong, Coca-Cola, Chairman Industries, the NSRI and Dept. Of Sport and Recreation SA.

“If you see the smiles on their faces… You’ll get it, immediately!”

   - Dries Millard

#AdaptedSurfing

2nd Adapted Surfing event 17 March ‘13

The second Adapted Surfing event held in South Africa was a great success and much bigger than the first one. No less than 47 Disabled participants experienced the thrill of riding a wave. Physical disabilities ranging from SPI and Spinal Bifida to Polio and Amputations. Any type of disability can be accommodated and we are hoping to have a lot more disabled individuals that will part take in the next Adapted Surfing event! This experience uplifts and shifts the perspectives of each person that takes part. Adapted Surfing is something that can be developed in to a skill and there were already participants that showed their improvement from the previous surf event.

“Just to feel the water upon my face for the first time in five years, like the salty tears of a mother who's long last son had finally returned home. I will always remember this Day. With all my heart I thank you.”

              - Scott Thomson

SSA and Extreme Abilities Adapted Surfing

3 December ‘11

On 3 December 2011, International Disability Awareness day, 13 brave individuals took part in the first ever Adapted Surfing event in South Africa. This new and exciting experience changed the lives of everyone that was involved. This event opened up a whole new world for disability in SA and we aim to make this an annual event. Thanks for all the support from Surfing South Africa!

“Surfing allows me to have the passion to achieve more, more freedom and more ability. The ocean is a space that doesn't judge who you are or what you look like, it's total freedom and reconnection to life for me” – Dion McCafferty.

Adapted Surfing event  7 December ‘14

For the first time we hosted Adapted Surfing in Strand at the local life savers club. Everyone involved had a great experience. 30 people with physical disabilities had the chance to experience surfing. The Gordons Bay NSRI station joined in and helped the volunteers in the water. We also had n multimedia team from Die Burger newspaper that did interviews with some of the surfers and took a few action photos. We had a braai fire on and good music all through the day. We had a rad time in Strand and look forward to host more Adapted Surf events working with the Strand Lifesavers club and the Gordons Bay NSRI.

#AdaptedSurfing