Great Weather greeted participants and volunteers alike for the III Cocky Classic. Cloudless skies for the main with the odd couple drifting lazily by occasionally. There was quite a strong North Easterly breeze which was fanning a decent shore break and making it a bit cool for participants and volunteers.

After contending with the shore break, broken waves were around the 2-3 foot mark, providing participants with a challenging and exhilarating ride into the shallows. Both participant and volunteer levels were brilliant- 32 and 57 respectively!

For participants who wanted another surf they could have one, The majority of participants were mobile and several were getting up on the planks. Heaps of fun was had by one and all with the volunteers once again doing a fantastic job. I thanked one volunteer for his help and he simply replied that he got more from the experience than the participants.

Lunch was put on by our tremendous cooks as always. After time in the surf one's always ravenous. Awards were presented by Daffy, handed out by Damien in the following categories-

Wave of The Day- Kurtis Mays.
Surfer of The Day- Corrin Wilson.
Wipeout of The Day- Adam Cazalet.

A 12 foot, Ron surfboard from 1962 was graciously donated by Jim Cazalet to be used to raise maximum funds for our branch using whichever means is chosen. Much appreciation goes out to the Tweed Longboarders club, the Tweeed Shire Council and our super volunteers who make it all possible.

Happy Surfing and Merry Christmas,
Adam Casalet.
Joint Secretary DSA FNC N.S.W.

NSW "SOUTH COAST" BRANCH

Record Number of Attendees

Thirroul Beach 6th Dec 08

The 16th annual Disabled Surfers "Have A Go Day" at Thirroul attracted a record crowd of 205 attendees.

Huey, the DSA surf deity, again provided perfect conditions with even the southerly around midday being a mild affair.

With 131 volunteers in attendance, including 38 students from 8 local schools, as well as surfers and members of the general public, the day kicked off with the traditional paddling races in the adjacent continental Thirroul pool.

An hour later we were in the surf - falling tide and 1m waves - perfect.
Operating with as many as 10 boards simultaneously, but with less when more challenging participants required 2 or more teams of volunteers to assist, most of the 42 participants each enjoyed 3 surfing sessions.

"There were 2 ½ hours of wipe-outs, long rides and some unbelievable tubes," said South Coast DSA branch president Ian Picton.

While waiting their turn to surf, the giant sand modelling competition was being run by the inimitable Lenny Snowdon. Subsequently, Lachlan Edmunds took out first prize with his human sculpture of Ralph Harris.

After the horde was fed and watered, the major awards were presented only being first interrupted by Santa, looking remarkedly like long time committee member Cec Campbell's twin brother Nicholas (St), who almost arrived in a puff of smoke.

Toss the Flipper: was taken out by Culburra's Keiran Dinnerville, who travelled up by train from Bomaderry and wheeled himself to the beach from Thirroul station, with a new south coast record throw of 15.87m - what an all round brilliant effort;

Wave of the day: Kiama's Lawrence Clarke with a screamer from out the back and finishing with a head-stand in the white water;

Wipeout of the day: Sean Loves for a 4 second hold down;

Longest tube ride: Susan Kirkness with a 5 second visit to the green room;

Most inspirational: was taken out by Warilla's Ashley Hanson for real courage under fire (well at least under water);

Best Novice Surfer: Jaydon O'Connell for his first time efforts;

Furthest Travelled on the Day: was easily won by Tom 'Terrific' Bolwell (16,977 km to Pommy land) - and reportedly had to hop all the way;

Surfer of the day: was won by popular Parameadows surfer Kelly Kendall for a series of great manoeuvres.

In closing, Mr Picton thanked the Thirroul SLSC, Wollongong Council, all the volunteers, for their ongoing support and the surfing industry, in particular the Surf Pit Corrimal, Wollongong's Extreme Surf, Kiama's Zinc Surf and Gerringong's Natural Necessity Surf Shop.

 

"See you all at Gerroa on Sunday April 5 next year or if you cannot wait til then, attend one of the northern branches events at Newcastle or the Central Coast in the meantime or make the largest annual DSA event in Australia at Collaroy on Saturday 28th February," finished up Mr Picton.

The Winner of the

“DSA Surfer of the Year”

for 2007/08 is…

Marie Juriwova – Sydney Branch - Participant.

The OFFICIAL JUDGE of the DSA Surfer of the Year for 2007-08 was Ted Kabbout, DSA Far North Coast.

The WINNING Comment from the Nominees DSA Branch:

Marie turned up unannounced to the 2007 Sydney HANDS ON DAY, just wanting to go surfing.

I had never met Marie, yet her massive smile and determination was obvious from the first minute.

Marie suffers from a muscle disease that creates severe muscle weakness throughout her entire body. Her body weight is determining, her ability to walk, talk and move is extremely limited, yet she turns up at Sydney, Central Coast, South Coast and Hunter Region events, every time they are held.

Marie has inspired many people where ever she ventures, she could have let her issues control her

Life, yet she wants to live life to the fullest and go surfing whilst she can. Her spirit and attitude is one of the DSA and one that I admire.

Marie won the Surfer of the Day at the Sydney 2008 Hands on Day, and there is no one who better deserves the “DSA SURFER OF THE YEAR” 2007/08.

The JUDGES Comment:

There is always something special about your first surf. That day, that moment, when you get your first wave and it becomes embedded in your mind forever…

Marie had her first surf at the 2007 Sydney Hands on Day and has been to just about every Sydney, Central Coast, Hunter and South Coast event since.

Marie’s determination in getting out there and surfing and her obvious stoke for surfing make her a worthy recipient of the 2007/08 - DSA Surfer of the Year.

As her nominee pointed out, “Her spirit and attitude is what the DSA is all about.”

This Award is Proudly Supported by:

If you require any further ‘info’,

Please contact Jason on 02 4952 4413 or

surfer.of.the.year@disabledsurfers.org

Regards,Jason Parkinson

DSAA -  Award Co-Ordinator

Belinda presenting Marie with the “DSA Surfer of the Year” Award,

Comprising of: Award Trophy, Plaque & Billabong Female Surf Pack

DSA Hunter Trivia/Auction Night 08

The DSA Hunter held their annual Fundraising Event (Trivia/Auction Night), which was held at Swansea Belmont Surf Life Saving Club on Saturday 9th August 2008.

Everyone who attended had a fantastic time…

Our Special Guests were: Gary and his lovely wife Lyn Blaschke + a REP from the Variety Club (Newcastle) that had donated an Aquatic Wheel Chair, this will assist us with transporting people TO and FROM the Surf…

With the TRIVIA Section of the Night was being run by Belinda Parkinson, Lisa Spence and Brad Whitehead, Belinda did the speaking on the microphone and was something she excelled at “she loves to hear her own voice” … There was a $300.00 PRIZE to the winning table, being donated by First National Real Estate Meeks West- Cardiff and it was won by Dean Brown Electrical and a couple of his mates, who donated it back to DSA Hunter, by Dean & the boys…

The NEXT Section of the Night was the AUCTION ran by Paul Meeks, was a huge success 0with bidding wars happening, and all the crowd getting involved it was a fun section of the night and the winners walked away with some great items.

The PARTYING was beginning, once…the band Sunday’s Record, kicked off they were awesome… and also participated in the whole night so thanks guys

We were lucky enough to be Supported By:

Dr Geoff Booth,
Art Tees,
Ocean/Earth Austtrala,
Mars Australia,
Surf Hardware,
Greg Tapp Printing,
Tsunami Surf,
Surf & Sound (Anna Bay),
Wild Surf Co.,
First National Real Estate Meeks West- Cardiff,
The Delany Hotel,
The Framing Game,
RA - The Boardriders Show,
The Surf Shack,
Bunnings Warehouse,
NIB Health Funds,
Richards Surf,
Surfing Life,
ASP World Tour.

FIRSTLY, A Big Thanks must go to EVERYONE involved with the DSA Hunter Fundraiser Night.Get ready for the next Hunter Fundraiser,

because its going to be bigger and better than this one…

If further details are required, Please contact Belinda (DSA Hunter –Hon. Secretary on 0417 771 845. Regards,Jason Parkinson President - DSA Hunter Region

 

MID NORTH COAST

"Branch gets new trailer"
Article: Coffs Coast Independent

(Pics-Click Here)
NEIL WOOD 17/10/2008

THE excitement on the faces of young surfers as they ride waves to shore was enough to convince Chris Allen to take charge of the Mid North Coast branch of the Disabled Surfers Association of Australia (DSA).

"It's why I took the job on," the branch president said.
Chris, whose son Shea suffers from a disability after a near-drowning incident, was singing the praises of the association yesterday when he was joined by Member for Cowper, Luke Hartsuyker, to launch the branch's new trailer at Park Beach Plaza, using the occasion also to promote the branch's first surfing day at Jetty Beach on Saturday, October 25.

Chris said the origins of the trailer were a mystery. He inherited it just weeks ago as part of the presidency role.
He's not sure who arranged for it to be purposely built, or who provided the money to have it completed.
All he knows is that Coffs Harbour firm BD Engineering was responsible for its construction.
Chris is thankful to whoever put the project together. The enclosed trailer will allow the branch to carry boards, special wheelchairs, wetsuits, rashies, shade tents and a barbecue to events along the Mid North Coast.

All Chris needs now is the equipment to fill it.
The branch current uses special wheelchairs provided by the Coffs Harbour surf and yacht clubs and have two boards on loan from the Sydney.

Chris hopes to raise the $4000 needed for each wheelchair and $1000 for each specially made board by selling sponsorship space on the new trailer.

He said ideally the branch needed two wheelchairs and four boards to allow it properly to cater for the growing number of disabled surfing participants along the Mid North Coast.

He plans to sell $300 packages, which entitles the sponsor to signage (100mm x 300mm) on the branch's trailer for three years. Mr Hartsuyker is the first to sign up as a sponsor.

Mr Hartsuyker said he was proud to support an organization which encouraged people with disabilities to go surfing.
"I think it is great that people with disabilities are being encouraged to get outdoors and enjoy getting in the water and having a surf," he said.

Mr Hartsuyker encouraged others to get involved with the local branch.
"It would also be good to see businesses and the wider community financially support the local association," he said.
"I know they have plans to purchase their own barbecue, surfboards and gazebo, but they need to raise additional funds."

Chris said he had plans to approach local businesses to have some items donated, like a barbecue and tents.
"It costs about $2500 to keep the branch going every year with insurance and now (trailer) registration," Chris said.
Chris said having more funds would allow the branch to stage more events each year.
As well as the Let's Go Surfing Day at Jetty Beach on October 25, other events are planned for Woolgoolga on January 10 and one for Scotts Head early in 2009.

Chris hopes to increase the number of event to six next year.
"It's just an adrenalin rush for them (participants) - seeing them catch a wave and beat it (to the beach), it's just an amazing, amazing day," Chris said.

Chris said at the completion of each surfing day a barbecue was held at prizes awarded to participants judged to have caught the biggest wave or had the biggest wipeout.

DSA was formed in 1986 and has branches throughout Australia. The Mid North Coast branch formed last year.
The association allows people with a disability to enjoy the thrill of surfing.
Anyone who would like to sponsors the local branch or volunteer at one of its surfing days should contact Chris Allen, phone 0437 274 474 or e-mail chris.fit@hotmail.com

"Let's Go Surfing"

The Mid North Coast branch of the Disabled Surfers Association of Australia (DSA) will set up at Coffs Harbour Yacht Club on Saturday, October 25

Volunteers are asked to sign on from 9am, with the surfers' sign on from 9.30am.
There is no cost involved, and surfing will go until about 1pm. It will be followed by prizes and a supplied barbecue lunch.

All volunteers wanting to assist, whether they have completed the training day or not, are encouraged to come down and lend a hand under supervision from experienced volunteers.

All disabled people, regardless of the level of disability, are encouraged to attend with a carer.
The second event for this season is tentatively scheduled for Woolgoolga Beach on Saturday, January 10, with a third surfing day later in the season at Scotts Head.