Following a record-breaking February event, Central Coast Disabled Surfers Association (DSACC) will hold another Smiles on Dials event at Umina Beach on March 4 from 9am-1pm.
A huge turn-up saw 51 surfers and 152 volunteers at the February event, allowing the organisation to put five boards in the water.
“This was a record for our branch,” a spokesperson said.
“We are hoping to replicate these volunteer numbers in March as we already have had 52 surfers register their interest in attending.
“We need large volunteer numbers to make their experience safe and enjoyable.”
Interested volunteers are asked to register online via Humanitix https://bit.ly/March4Umina prior to the event so surfer numbers can be calculated.
Volunteers, who will also be accepted on the day, 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 which enables people of all ages and abilities to take part in one of Australia’s most popular past-times, 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.
There is a high volunteer to participant ratio, with a minimum of 6 to 1 up to as high as 30 to 1 for more challenging participants.
Surfing is conducted in broken waves, in waist depth water.
The DSA was established in 1986 and currently has 19 branches across Australia and New Zealand.
For more information on DSA go to http://disabledsurfers.org.
Source:
Media release, Feb 14
Central Coast Disabled Surfers Association