Help disabled surfers catch a wave

On Saturday, December 3, the Disabled Surfers Association Ocean Care Day will return to Thirroul Beach for a celebration of inclusivity and the joy of catching a wave.

Coinciding with the International Day of People with Disability, this year’s event is running in collaboration with Surfrider Foundation and the South Coast branch will host a volunteer-run morning beach clean before the action starts at 9am.

Thirroul’s previous Ocean Care Day, held in 2019, drew 250 local volunteers, carers and surfing participants, and attendee numbers this time are predicted to match or exceed those.

The president of the Disabled Surfers Association South Coast branch, Ian Picton, said that without the support of volunteers, Disabled Surfers Association events would not be possible.

“We really rely on our volunteers that come down and help out on the day to take them out in the water safely,” Ian said.

“We've got a minimum standard of six to one, so six volunteers to one participant, before we even go in the water.

“I know a number of people who have volunteered with us over the years are just blown away by how they feel at the end of the day after they've done something like that, you know, enabling someone with a type of disability the opportunity to go out and have a surf, and catch a wave, and feel that experience of being caught up in the wave.”

Ian, who has been South Coast branch president for 27 years, said more volunteers meant participants could spend more time catching waves.

“We're always open for volunteers – the more, the better.

“When [volunteers] come and help us at one of our days, that day will be a memory for them for the rest of their life."

Those unable to volunteer their time this weekend may like to give money instead. Ian said every cent donated goes towards equipment for the non-profit organisation’s four annual events – at Mollymook, Thirroul, Port Kembla and Gerroa.

“We're lucky down here in Wollongong, we've got a wonderful committee that work really hard, love what we're doing, and we've gone from one trailer of equipment to two trailers… we've just basically got that through community donations,” Ian said.

“We carry eight [beach] wheelchairs, we've got 10 surf boards, we've got 450 rash vests, we've got lifting devices.

“We really rely on the community spirit and the volunteers from around our area to get those people into the water and for them to have a smile on their face when they leave – and we certainly do that.”

For more information, visit the Disabled Surfers Association South Coast website, or check them out on Facebook and Instagram