STOKED to be SURFING


I’ve seen lots of surfing clips over the years, but the clip that Jake, a physiotherapist and my son-in-law from Mount Maunganui sent me two weeks ago was different. There were heaps of people standing in the shallows, walking sticks were in the water, wheelchairs were up to the waters edge. Helpers were wearing blue and red. Participants wore yellow. What was going on? I viewed the clip again and again. Such joy on everyone’s faces. I glimpsed my grandchildren Patch and Ada helping too. 
Disabled participants were surrounded by helpers, working in teams to get them out to the waves and back again…surfing! The biggest grins came from the surfers, whose disabilities for a short time were left behind. 
I spoke further with Jake. “So much kindness, Steve,” he said.
The Disabled Surfers Association of New Zealand (DSA) were at work creating togetherness and accomplishments that were humbling to see. The ‘Have a go Day’ at the Papamoa Surf lifesaving club ended with a sausage sizzle and prizes. More happiness. 
The DSA were at this beach because one of Jake’s patients had to have a limb amputated. It seemed that his surfing days were over. Not so. Life is meant to be lived, so he joined the DSA based at Piha Beach, west of Auckland. The generosity of spirit of Jake’s patient and others meant that all the gear required was transported from the black sands of the west coast to the white sands of the east coast. 
Check out their website to see how you could be involved at a beach near you.

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