The Central Coast branch of the Disabled Surfers Association (DSACC) returns to Umina Beach on Saturday, November 12, with free volunteer training.
Following the cancellation of the past two seasons due to COVID-19 and adverse weather conditions, the organisation is looking to rebuild its volunteer base.
“Volunteering consists of helping participants to and from the beach and assisting them in and out of the water including tandem board riding,” a spokesperson said.
“We always need help with set up and clean up too.
“Volunteers do not need to know how to surf, they just need to be willing to get wet and have some fun.
“If you surf, it’s a bonus.”
The DSACC is a volunteer-run organisation which 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.
To ensure safety, DSA has a very high volunteer to surfer ratio, with a minimum of 6 to 1 up to 30 to 1 for higher needs surfers.
The group only surfs in broken waves, in waist depth water.
The spokesperson said rash shirts will be provided on the day, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own wetsuits.
“Without volunteers we cannot run our events, so we need your help,” they said.
“New volunteers or returning volunteers wanting to refresh their skills can register via the Humanitix ticketing system.”
Sign in on November 12 will be upstairs at Umina Surf Life Saving Club from 8.45am for a 9 am start.
There will be a theory session followed by in the water training.
COVID protocols will in place to create a safe environment for all attendees.
Volunteers are urged not to attend if unwell.
For more information on DSA, please visit http://disabledsurfers.org.
Source:
Media release, Oct 9
Disabled Surfers Association Central Coast