Central Coast Disabled Surfers Association (DSACC) will be back on the water on Saturday, February 3, and needs more volunteers to help make the day a success.
The Smiles on Dials event will be held at Umina Beach from 9am- 1pm.
“We need large volunteer numbers to make our surfing experience safe and enjoyable,” a spokesperson said.
“Interested volunteers are asked to register online via https://bit.ly/3FebEvent prior to the event so we know how many surfers we can accept.
“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.
DSA 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 6 to 1 up to as high as 30 to 1 for more challenging participants.
“We only surf in broken waves, in waist depth water,” the spokesperson said.
“Volunteers help participants enjoy the experience that able bodied people often take for granted.”
The DSA was established in 1986 and currently has 19 branches across Australia and New Zealand.