Adaptive Surfing on the Isle of Wight. With iSurf and the Wave Project. Got to LOVE inclusion!
When Evan was a baby, a close friend of the family and someone who had been in our lives for a long time said to me:
'We will get Evan Surfing, he's a Ventnor boy and he will surf!'
Dave. G.
That good friend died before it happened, and it is something I often feel sad about as I would have loved to have taken Evan surfing with him.
I take Evan in the sea every year, on a paddle board, on a kayak, swimming, but until today he had not been Surfing!
Can Wheelchair users Surf? Yes they can with iSurf and the Wave Project!
A letter came home from school about an exciting opportunity for a water sports activity as part of the PE curriculum:
'...............The coaches from isurf will lead the session and allow your child the opportunity to explore the waves and sea on either a body board, surf board or stand up paddle board. Children who use wheelchairs have an adaptive surfboard booked for them to use.'
I filled in the permission slip in tears, my son could take part. I also wrote on there..'I am more than happy to come and help.
After several phone calls from the class teacher and with suncream, swimwear and towels packed, today I went over to iSurf in Sandown on the Isle of Wight to help out with the lifting, changing and transfers for Evan. I was so excited.
I spent the whole time smiling. Inclusion isn't just about the person with the disability, it is about the whole family. For me to see Evan being able to take part in surfing today, and being included and happy, was a dream come true.
What is Adaptive Surfing?
Here is the chair that my son used. He used the beach wheelchair to access the facilities and to make his way down to and up from the shore.
Once ready in his wetsuit and with a helmet on we headed off down to the shore.
The staff were AMAZING with my son! I felt totally happy and safe with them looking after him. They clearly knew exactly how to best help him enjoy the water sports activity, as well as talking to him, and understanding his communication methods.
The waves were perfect and he raced towards the beach, a look of contentment on his face and glimmers of smiles. A new experience like this can be overwhelming but he was a star and the staff made sure he was happy. Evan can definitely say when he is not happy, which he did not do throughout the whole experience (apart from a bit of a grumble about putting a wetsuit on)!
Evan was asked, 'Two more waves or three? Two or Three?'
The lady answered: 'Two, he looked up for two.'
She was right, Evan had said two!
What an AWESOME day!
Is Surfing an Inclusive Sport?
Where there is a will there is a way! So....YES, is the answer to that, you just might need the support of others to help it happen.
What did the Inclusive Surf Session look like?
Head on over to here and have a look at a video of Evan's Adaptive Surfing Session.
What Opportunities are there in the UK for adaptive Surfing?
The Wave Project are who my son surfed with and they teach in lots of locations, have a look on their website. There are also SurfabilityUK , The Wave who are based in Bristol, and if you have a look on a search engine you'll see others listed, so if you are interested have a look and contact one of them.
Thank you!
We would like to once again thank my son's school for organising this experience and, The Wave Project Isle of Wight and isurf.
LOVE INCLUSION!
Have you taken part in an adaptive sport?
Please comment and tell me about it.
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