What’s waiting for you, future surfers with a disability at the ‘MAGIC MILES’……
Getting out there… experiencing and getting the chance to actively explore your environment as much as you can. As a person with a disability do you find yourself constantly exploring ways to experience all of these things just like your peers? Whether your passions are art, socialising, swimming, skiing or surfing, don’t you want to do these things completely independently? At the same time, learning brand new skills, too?
If you are reading these words and your response is to start dreaming of the beach, waves, sand and the freedom of surfing, then have I got good news for you.”Ability Surf ” is an innovative surf coaching initiative for people with disabilities, which is centered on the Far North Coast NSW near Byron Bay at the ‘magic miles’ surfing coastline of Lennox Head and Ballina. This exciting new initiative of surf lessons and coaching for people with a disability is being developed by Emma Bracken, along with support from the local community, her friends and family.
I first met Emma about twelve years ago (when I was going to a respite place run by Northcott Disability Services in Parramatta) and we have been great friends ever since. Emma has been an Occupational Therapist for six years now and has been a brilliant carer for ten years. She has been all over the world working in various roles with people who have disabilities, including adaptive skiing and adaptive surfing. She now works as a full time Occupational Therapist for children and adults who have Autism Spectrum Disorder.
On a personal level, I feel the main reason why we have hit it off so well is because I have always admired Emma’s passion for life along with her awesome and positive attitude towards disability.
It has been while watching her develop her dream of “Ability Surf” over the past year that I have been amazed and honoured to have witnessed Emma put everything she has into this vision. As Emma explains, this idea basically evolved from experiencing the buzz she received after attending surf days run for people with disabilities around the northern rivers region. As well as this, what further contributed to this buzz was the excitement of one of her clients, Leilani, who after just one volunteer surfing session, continued to say “Let’s go surfing.” Leilani would also regularly demonstrate her paddling and surfing stance to Emma which was “one of the best ‘pop ups’ and best moments” Emma had witnessed.
I personally feel that, because this concept was formed around such a magical feeling, it’s what makes Ability Surf such an inspiring venture.
It has been through determination, strength, passion and willpower from both Emma herself, as well as immense support from friends, family and the amazing community of Byron Bay, that has enabled this idea to begin to grow quickly in reality. “Ability Surf” currently has a Facebook and Instagram page, a website and offered two surfing experiences at the end of 2017. Ability Surf is currently applying for a surf coaching license with Ballina Shire Council to legally permit Ability Surf to use the coastal land for surf lessons for people with a disability.
So if by now you are wondering if you would be able to become involved in this exciting company, Emma has stated that any support online would be greatly appreciated and ‘wetsuit donations, 9ft plus foamies’ would be received with gratitude. Emma would love to hear from you either via “Ability Surf’s” social media pages or by emailing abilitysurf.au@gmail.com
And most importantly, if you are interested in becoming an Ability Surf Surfer, complete an expression of interest at www.abilitysurf.com.au. I’m sure that Emma and her crew will do everything they can to get you out in the waves as soon as possible.
Click here to see a video of Ability Surf in action
