Special need’s surf contest for Durban

THE province’s first-ever Special Need’s Surf Competition will be held at Addington Beach on 26 July.

The contest director, Wez Smith, explained that five children from Open Air School will compete for a number of prizes, among them Best Wave, Longest Wave, Charger of the Day and Wipe-out of the Day.

“The idea started with Open Air School – a Durban-based school for physically disabled kids – where my son Reece attends. I offered his friend, a young blind boy, the opportunity to go body-boarding. We met at Addington Beach and he loved it so much that I invited a few more of Reece's friends,” explained Smith.

From there, Smith organised a surfing session every few weeks for the group to practice. Although the five participants have only had a few training sessions, they are avid surfers and excited to take to the water again.

Dries Millard – a former junior Springbok rugby player who was left a paraplegic following a tragic car accident – has been integral in growing surfing for the disabled in Cape Town. Overcoming the odds, Millard helped set up Extreme Abilities, an organisation that helps those with disabilities experience alternative sports. Millard was also recently selected by Surfing South Africa to represent his country at the inaugural ISA World Adaptive Surfing Champs in San Diego in September. This inspirational man, who is a qualified surfing coach, will also be part of the team assisting with the competition on the day.

Commenting on the event, Millard said: “These events are a learning experience that allow the children to reach out of their comfort zone and do something they don’t do everyday. They gain so much confidence.”

However, Millard said it was also an essential learning experience for the parents.

“I’ve found that parents of children with special needs often believe the situation is worse than it is. These events help them let go and let their children experience the happiness and freedom you get from surfing. They meet people in a similar situation and it changes their perspective,” he said.

Smith explained that each contestant will get five waves each, and then Dries will perform a demonstration with beach wheelchairs and modified surfboards. Thereafter, which they will have a bonus three waves each.

The competition, which starts at 7.30am at Addington Beach, will be followed by a prize-giving ceremony.

“We really hope that this competition will attract other special needs’ children and adults to get involved in surfing,” said Smith.