Gold Coast News

Well, the 2006/2007 season has drawn to a close on the Gold Coast and it's been another bumper year with great days, great numbers and hundreds of smiles. We could tell you all the news ourselves but sometimes it's better to let someone else do the talking. The following article Is by Carolyn Ham (a student In journalism at Grifflth University) who attended our last Let's Go Surfing Day on March 31 st at our usual venue· Currumbln beach. Take it away Carolyn ...

Something is happening on Currumbin beach. There's a crowd, a marquee, and no free car parks anywhere along the waterfront This isn't new - in the Year of the Surf Li(esaver, Gold Coast beaches wear marquees and crowds like party dresses, as they celebrate the heroes of the water.
A closer look and you realise this isn't a typicallifesaver event There are wheelchairs with huge bubble shaped wheels, and people of every shape, size and ability.
A line of people weaves unsteadily from the marquee, down to  the shoreline. In the water, small crowds of people cluster around surfboards. As a surfer on his stomach gently lobs into the shore, closely trailed by a guy in a blue rashie, the surrounding people clap and cheer.

Welcome to the Disabled Surfers Association. Here people with disability get their chance to try out the waves, and to sample what mateship is about Founder and president Gary Blaschke said the group's motto is "Surfers helping surfers". "It's about giving these people the opportunity to get out there and do something that they would never have the opportunity to do." Anyone is welcome. A Disabled Surfers trainer 'Macca' tells the volunteers "Never turn anyone away, just work out how to do it"

Among the volunteers there are a few surfing coaches, a few lifesavers and as one volunteer said 'lust old silly surfers". Today there are disability carers who have just finished their night shift, an artist, business owners and public servants. They are united by their desire to help. Disabled Surfers Gold Coast Branch President Craig Castles tells, potential volunteers it will change their lives. "If you get involved, it's hard to do one or two events, you get bitten by the bug," he said. Craig talks about helping a new surfer. "I was carrying him, he's really nervous to the point where we weren't going to do it, I said, 'it's entirely up to you mate'. Ten minutes later we had him in the water," he said. The volunteers get a buzz out of encouraging new disabled surfers. "They see the fun everyone's having and they think "I've gotta be a part of this!''

Behind the "Let's help you" attitude is a commitment to safety. Craig is proud of the Disabled Surfers impeccable safety record. "In 21 years, we've never had an incident," he said. This is despite taking people with the most severe disabilities out in the water, 'We've had a C2 quad (quadriplegic), were not going to get harder than that"

Macca emphasises that the group uses as many helpers as needed and take their time introducing people to the surf 'We get them to slow down for the disabled people rather than expecting the disabled people to speed up to you. It may be the surfing equivalent of a pony ride, but who doesn't like a pony ride?"
Harry, one of the surfers, has had a great day. "I went surfing down there before, I couldn't stand up but I just went up on my knees," he said. 

He's looking forward to the next bit 'When they finish we go up and do the barbeque." For him, the day is as much about the friendships he forms as it is about the surfing. 

This is the other element of Disabled Surfers, the part making disability carers volunteer on no sleep after night shift, the part drawing growing numbers of people with disabilities. Craig tells me of a conversation with a disability worker. "She said, 'You go to other organisations, they do the activity, and it's over. You, you take them up to the clubhouse after, and you socialise with them." 

The Disabled Surfers Association helps people hit the woter, but they also offer mateship. Disabled Surfers offers Steve, a paraplegic who lived for the water before his accident, his o.nly chance to go back into the ocean. "Anything I can do to help these guys out, I'll do," he said. He tells Craig later, "I'm getting some genuine mates again." 

Steve has already been in the water, but as the surfing winds up he goes back. The volunteers, including Craig and Gary, are around him, ready to lift him into the wheelchair, when he says something. They stop, and ease him back into the water, where he lies, submerged, for a while. 

A little later, the beach is quiet The marquee has been folded up. Across the road, the crowd is rearranging itself around an assembly line of hot dogs and cold drinks. Gary walks into the water and submerges himself, same position, almost in the same place. 

The heroes of the water are being celebrated in the year of the lifesaver. The Disabled Surfers have a lot of these, both volunteers and participants. But the volunteers are taking a step closer. They aren't just helping some people with an activity. They are becoming their mates. 

What more do we need to say! Thanks again to everyone involved on the Gold Coast including all the usual suspects (Christian Surfers for doing the BBQ; Billabong for their continued support; Currumbin Junior Surf Life Saving Club for the loan of the clubhouse; Saville Butchers for the snags; Bakers Delight at Burleigh; Magic Apple; Queensland Fruit Processors; and JS Industries for the auction surfboard (which raised us a cool $3000). 

Pictured above, clockwise from top left: Croig Castles (Gold Coost President) chats to Steve; plenty of people in the water and some great waves; all hands on deck for another wheelchair transfer; Macca and regular participant Adam - all smiles; the JS Industries auction board and a Billabong board up for raffle by Croig, lan & Ross; Craig shows smiles are plentiful with a couple of participants; and a wheelchair waits for its turn! 

Woke up to a great looking Gold Coast day got some gear together, and the tourist (Legend Jim Bradley) and headed to Currumbin beach to check the conditions and set up for the day. Huey had given us a break the wind had gone from the horrid nor easter to a gentle southerly with nice little waves on tap.

The well-oiled DSA volunteers rolled into action, set up was done in no time and then it was down to business. A total of 45 participants and 75 volunteers and carers rolled up keen to surf. With a good mix off new and old faces we hit the waves with the regular hooting hollering laughing smiling faces, there were some great rides and wipeouts. Adam Hamilton (the legend surfer who’s face graces the new DSA national flyers) was up on his feet showing how it’s done with style. Then we had a new comer Steve from Brisbane who had an accident April 05 and is now a C5 quadriplegic. Being a surfer before the accident he was keen to taste the salt again, so that’s what he did, after his set of waves he purposely rolled of the board went under water and swallowed a gut full then put his head up stoked to be back amongst it again. Good onya mate. There were just to many good rides happening to single any one out as wave off the day. What a blast, after two hours in the surf it was back to the clubhouse for a feed and more bragging.

Then after a few speeches were made the big jolly bloke Santa arrived with his two little helpers to hand out some pressies and lollies. So the end of another great DSA day was done. Congratulations to all our disabled surfers for your inspiring rides there’s some real talent amongst you. And I can’t thank the fantastic volunteers enough; you guys turn up and work your butts off, your all legends. Last but not least thanks go to Billabong and Australian surfing life magazine for their continued support, Gold Coast City Council, Currumbin Nippers Club, Tasty Temptations, Magic Apple, Bakers Delight, Rocky Creek Candy Co, Saville Butchers, QLD Fruit

Processors, and the Christian Surfers who turn up to every event and work and cook their hearts out thanks guys. Sorry if I missed anyone.

So from every one on the Gold Coast Committee have a safe and happy Xmas and we will see you back in the surf in 2007.

Cheers.

Craig Castles

Pressie on the Goldy.