GEORGE NEWS - Are you disabled but always wanted to try surfing? Extreme Abilities is a surfing NPO that has been actively developing adaptive surfing/parasurfing across South Africa for the past 14 years.
On their way to the 2025 National Parasurf Championships in Durban, the surf team of the West Coast will be hosting an adaptive surf introduction session at Victoria Bay from 09:00 until 13:00 on Saturday 6 April, together with Die Weskus Krewe.
The session will be free of charge for any persons with disabilities. It is, however, weather-dependent, and limited space is available.
“We want to work with the local surfing and disabled community to help jump-start a new parasurfing contingent between Mossel Bay and George,” says coach Albert Millard.
They are looking for individuals with disabilities, aged between eight and 40, who would like to learn how to surf and to grow and develop adaptive surfing/parasurfing.
Extreme Abilities will provide all the surfing equipment needed for each participant. During the session, they will help you onto a surfboard and go just deep enough for you to easily catch a wave and experience the pure joy.
All disabilities are welcome.
Individuals with colostomy bags and internal hardware (e.g. a baclofen pump) are not advised to partake in the surf, as the impact of the board and waves does pose a serious health risk.
Anyone who wants to join should bring a towel, warm clothes for after your surf and someone you trust to help you change into your wetsuit and to be with you in the water. Also, bring something to eat and drink after your surf, and a hat and sunscreen.
“We will be entering the water as a group with two or three adaptive surfers in the water at a time. Each surfer will be accompanied by two or three people, a surf coach, the person who came along with you and, if possible, a volunteer to help get you to the waves and on one. Each surfer will have about 30 minutes of surf time, which is more than enough time to catch some waves.”
Should you wish to join this session as an adaptive surfer or as a volunteer, contact Millard on 084 296 6515 or send an email to albert@extremeabilities.co.za for more details.
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