Surfing, sun and smiles – they’re the three ideal ingredients the Mornington Peninsula Disabled Surfers Association seeks for its biannual events at Point Leo.
With the simple but powerful aim to ‘put smiles on dials’, the association provides a safe and enjoyable surfing experience for people with any disability. Whether you’re a participant, volunteer or carer, you’re guaranteed to come away grinning.
Its next event is on Saturday, January 21, from 11am-3pm at Point Leo Beach. It’s the ideal accessible location, with a boardwalk down to the beach, and matting and a sand cruiser ensuring surfers easily get on to the 3.6m soft surfboards.
Four trained team leaders are assigned to every group, operating in waist-deep water in broken waves, with a volunteer on the back of the board to ensure it’s a safe experience. Between six and 20 volunteers a group make a human tunnel for the surfer to go through, so if a surfer does fall off, support is right at hand.
There are a host of volunteer positions, both land-based and in the water, for people of all ages and experience levels. It’s a relaxed and upbeat atmosphere – like a daytime beach party – with sausages, vegie burgers, lollies, fruit and drinks provided free of charge throughout the day to participants and volunteers. Former participant Cooper Smith will be attending in his role as DJ to really get the crowd pumped, along with other local musicians.
A range of merchandise will be available to buy, with proceeds channelled back to running the events and supporting the association. The events are held according to the adage ‘rain, hail or shine’ and will only be cancelled in dangerous conditions such as wild surf, strong wind and/or thunder storms.
The cost is $10 for participants to cover insurance and free for volunteers and carers. For further information and to register as either a volunteer or participant, visit the Facebook page @letsgosurfing
You can’t stop a wave, but you can ride one. If you never try, you’ll never know.
SARAH HALFPENNY
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