The Central Coast Disabled Surfers Association (DSACC) will hold their first event this year on February 4.
The “Smiles on Dials” day will be held at Umina Beach from 9am and interested volunteers and those wanting to surf should register online prior to the event.
A spokesperson said 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,” the spokesperson said.
“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 which enables people of all ages and abilities to take part in one of Australia’s most popular pastimes, beach surfing.
Volunteers 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.
“We only surf in broken waves, in waist depth water,” the spokesperson said.
“Volunteers help participants enjoy the experience that abled bodied people often take for granted.”
The DSA was established in 1986 and currently has 19 branches across Australia and New Zealand.
The award-winning organisation sets world’s best practice for the sport of disabled surfing.
To register to take part in the February 4 event or volunteer, go to Humanitix https://bit.ly/Feb4Umina.
For more information on DSA, go to http://disabledsurfers.org.
Source:
Media release, Jan 4
Central Coast Disabled Surfers Association