Central Coast Disabled Surfers Association (DSACC) will hold its last Smiles on Dials event for the season at Umina Beach on April 1.
The group is looking for volunteers to help on the day.
Registrations are welcome prior to the event so the group knows how many surfers it can accept, but volunteers will also be accepted on the day.
Volunteers do not need to know how to surf although water skills are highly valued.
A water refill station and a rash shirt will be provided for the day, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own wetsuits.
A sausage sizzle will complete the festivities.
Volunteering at a Smiles on Dials event consists of helping participants to and from the beach, assisting them in and out of the water and helping set up and clean up.
Food is provided and smiles are always encouraged.
DSACC is a volunteer-run organisation that enables people of all ages and abilities to take part in one of Australia’s most popular pastimes, beach surfing.
Volunteers serve to provide a unique, safe, and happy surfing experience to a wide range of people with various disabilities who would otherwise be unable to access the beach.
In order to ensure safety, DSA has a very high volunteer to participant ratio, with a minimum of six to one up to as high as 30 to one for more challenging participants.
Surfing is undertaken in broken waves, in waist depth water.
The DSA was established in 1986 and currently has 19 branches across Australia and New Zealand.
The association sets the world’s best practice for the sport of Disabled Surfing.
DSA training programs are award winning for Outstanding Achievement in implementing Safe Sport Practices and Minister’s awards for Most Significant Contribution to Water Safety by an Organisation.
Volunteer and surfer registration can be made at Humanitix https://bit.ly/April1Umina.
Source: Media release, Mar 7, 2023,
Central Coast Disabled Surfers Association