Wheels on Waves raises funds for beach wheelchairs
Their mission is to have floatable wheelchairs on all beaches, to provide access to the sea for the differently-abled, elderly and temporarily injured.
ON Saturday, March 19, Wheels on Waves hosted a 3km swim to raise funds for floatable beach wheelchairs.
The weather was sunny and the wind was calm, for Wesley Smith, adaptive surfing coach and founder, Donovan Kanes, SA adaptive surfer and founder and Tracy Lee McKay, SA adaptive surfer and KZN para swimmer, and their swim from Pipeline Beach to Toti Main Beach.
ALSO READ: Toti SPCA grateful for donation
Wheels on Waves are raising funds to get three beach wheelchairs up and running at Amanzimtoti Beach and to launch their initiative nationwide, to create awareness about beach accessibility.
Their mission is to have floatable wheelchairs on all beaches, to provide access to the sea for the differently-abled, elderly and temporarily injured.
“I was asked to introduce two floatable wheelchairs to Toti beach, to take a couple disabled people into the water, and it wasn’t long until the word got out. We would get a few people, take them in and let him splash around.
Some hadn’t been in the ocean their whole lives, others since their accident. So, having the two floatable wheelchairs at Toti beach was a brilliant thing.
Jace Govender, the beach manager, has been instrumental in making this event happen. Thank you to all the lifesavers, this would not have been possible without you.
The swimmers, surfers and paddlers also added to the day.
Lastly, thank you to Amanzimtoti Lifesaving Club, Reece Smith, for hosting and commentating, South Coast Sun, Sapphire Coast Tourism and André Beetge,” said adaptive surfing coach, Wesley Smith.
Despite the cross currents and rip currents, the trio pushed through successfully and managed to raise R17 000 and Reece, from Rolling with Reece, was sponsored an iPhone and internet, to pursue his dream of becoming a sports commentator.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics. To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there? Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
