Zigzag Magazine Zigzag Magazine Zigzag Magazine Zigzag Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Latest
    • Industry
    • Contest
    • Sharks
  • Features
    • Exclusives
    • Interviews
    • Throwback Thursday
    • Write To Surf
    • Artist’s Corner
    • ZAG Review
    • Surfer’s Ear
  • Photos
    • Gallery
    • An Hour Ago
    • Monday Mind-Surf
    • Did He Make It?
    • Sequence of the Week
  • ZagTV
  • MAGAZINE
    • ZIGZAG – ISSUE 42.3
    • Subscribe
    • BACK ISSUES
    • Advertise
  • City Surf Series
  • Shot Bru
    • Photos
  • Showcase
    • All Boards
    • Accommodation
    • Accessories
  • Environment
    • Tuffy Clean Your Beach
    • Entries
    • Features
Zigzag Magazine Zigzag Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Latest
    • Industry
    • Contest
    • Sharks
  • Features
    • Exclusives
    • Interviews
    • Throwback Thursday
    • Write To Surf
    • Artist’s Corner
    • ZAG Review
    • Surfer’s Ear
  • Photos
    • Gallery
    • An Hour Ago
    • Monday Mind-Surf
    • Did He Make It?
    • Sequence of the Week
  • ZagTV
  • MAGAZINE
    • ZIGZAG – ISSUE 42.3
    • Subscribe
    • BACK ISSUES
    • Advertise
  • City Surf Series
  • Shot Bru
    • Photos
  • Showcase
    • All Boards
    • Accommodation
    • Accessories
  • Environment
    • Tuffy Clean Your Beach
    • Entries
    • Features
6 December, 2011 6 December, 2011

Inaugural Surfing South Africa Extreme Abilities Adaptive Surfing Day takes place at Bloubergstrand

  • 6 December, 2011
  • by admin

The inaugural Surfing South Africa Extreme Abilities Adaptive Surfing Day, which was supported by funding allocated to SSA by the National Lottery and Distribution Trust Fund, took place on World Disability Day at Bloubergstrand in the Cape Peninsula on Saturday (December 3) and was an inspiring experience for all who took part.

Tough conditions and strong winds did not dampen spirits and the fantastic vibe, positive energy and big smiles made the experience special for everyone involved. Everyone involved played their part, from the brave participants with various disabilities to the ISA accredited coaches and all the volunteers and it was a memorable day that celebrated the determination of the human spirit.

The small 3ft windblown waves were not the best conditions to take beginner surfing students into the water, let alone surfers with disabilities, but the passion, vision and inspiration of International Surfing Association (ISA) Level 1 accredited coach Dries Millard ensured that twelve individuals with various disabilities got the opportunity to get on a surfboard and feel the sensation of riding an ocean wave.

Dries himself is a T8 Complete Paraplegic after a horrific car accident 3 years ago. His love for the ocean is what helped him recover from and Surfing South Africa had the privilege of first meeting him when he applied for and successfully completed the ISA Level 1 Surf Instructor course in February 2011. After completing the course Dries and Tasha Mentasti (ISA Level 1 Course Presenter and Surfing South Africa Liaison and Operations Manager) got together and created the first ever Adaptive Surfing Day to take place in South Africa.

The motivation behind the Adaptive surfing Day was to show the public that anyone, disabled or not, was able to do anything that they set their heart and minds to achieve.
With only 6 weeks to plan the programme, which included essential beach and water safety, Dries and Tasha’s passion ensured the success of the 2011 Surfing South Africa Extreme Abilities Adaptive Surfing Day.

Adaptive surfing is part and parcel of the International Surfing Association and Surfing South Africa mission to introduce surfing to as many people as possible. Support for transformation and development from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund has made projects such as the Adaptive Surfing Day both a possibility and a reality. In addition, the generosity of the Big Bay Lifesaving Club, who allowed SSA to use their facilities, Gigs Cilliers at Surf Zone Big Bay who provided surfboards and equipment on the day, and Heather Van Wyk and her team from APD (Western Cape Association for Persons with Disabilities) who helped with volunteers and supplied refreshments throughout the day, made the event the success that it was.

Willing support and care from ISA accredited surf coaches Patrick Young, Shaheen Van Der Schyff, Ishmaeel Cassim, Josh Louw, Emiel Liebenberg and Tasha Mentasti as well as all the volunteers from West Coast Boardriders Surf Club made the day very special indeed.

To add to the occasion physiotherapist Stefanie Lochner gave her services to the participants free of charge for the entire day, making sure that they were comfortable getting in and out of their wetsuits after each surf and tending to any sore muscles.

Big Bay local Dion McCafferty, a T6 incomplete paraplegic, brought the day to a close with an inspirational demonstration by paddling out to the backline at Big Bay and catching waves unassisted. Dion, whose perseverance and patience has helped him continue his life as a surfer, is now venturing into the realm of tow surfing and is thoroughly enjoying his time in the water.

The final accolades must go to Dries Millard for his passion, determination and will to succeed. On his own he is special but he credits his amazing family, Miranda, Pieter and Albert for much of his resolve as they continue to support him in everything he does. They all drove through from Langebaan to volunteer on the day and help Dries achieve another milestone.

Go to www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za to see pictures of the activities at the SSA Extreme Abilities Adaptive Surfing Day and to read some comments about the event by Dries Millard.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • E-Mail

Zigzag has NO PAYWALL and we want to keep it that way.

Read more...

Zigzag is committed to producing top quality surf journalism. Since 1976 we’ve been the MOUTHPIECE OF SOUTH AFRICAN SURFING, and at the FOREFRONT OF AFRICAN SURF DISCOVERY. As we grow we’re focusing more attention on important social and environmental issues as they relate to surfing and the ocean, while still delivering the BEST VIDEOS, IMAGES and SURF STORIES to froth you out!

Our content takes a lot of time, effort and money to produce. Advertising doesn’t float the boat alone. We need our audience to back us too. So if you appreciate what we do, come aboard!

THE BEST WAY TO SUPPORT THE ZAG IS TO SUBSCRIBE. You get AFRICA’S FINEST SURF MAGAZINE delivered to you every issue and your contribution keeps the wheels turning across all our platforms: PRINT, ONLINE AND SOCIAL.

 

We offer several DIFFERENT SUBSCRIPTION DEALS and SPECIAL OFFERS to those who sign up for 2 YEARS or on DEBIT ORDER.

subscribe-here

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NEWS FEED
  • Margaret River Pro Cancelled

    Margaret River Pro surfing event cancelled following two shark...
    1 day ago
  • Tuffy Clean Your Beach March Winner

    And its over. If you fall into that category...
    2 days ago
  • ENTRIES CLOSE TOMORROW – SIGN UP NOW

    Urgent update   Dear Surfers entries for the Zigzag...
    3 days ago
  • Two Men Bitten Within 12 Hours Downunder

    In a seriously unlikely string of events, two surfers...
    3 days ago
  • Saffa on Saffa Showdown in Round 3

    With the Margaret River Pro being called off this morning...
    3 days ago
  • Buffalo City Surf Pro – Finals Day

    In South Africa, the QS is a dreamy affair....
    4 days ago
  • Buffalo City Surf Pro – Day 2

    Today the ladies shone bright like stars in the...
    5 days ago
  • Buffalo City Surf Pro – Day 1

    A dash of upsets and a sprinkling of high...
    6 days ago
  • The Big Foot Bounty

    Cause we all know Big Foot rules the Reef,...
    6 days ago
  • Mitchum Buffalo City Surf Pro presented by Reef

    Welcome to the Mitchum Buffalo City Surf Pro presented...
    6 days ago
  • Discovery of New Ocean Current

    A partnership between local and international universities, the Council for Scientific...
    6 days ago
  • Jason Statham In A Movie About Giant Sharks

    So, word on the street is that Hollywoods most...
    7 days ago
NEWS
  • Margaret River Pro Cancelled

    Margaret River Pro surfing event cancelled following two shark...
    1 day ago
  • Tuffy Clean Your Beach March Winner

    And its over. If you fall into that category...
    2 days ago
  • ENTRIES CLOSE TOMORROW – SIGN UP NOW

    Urgent update   Dear Surfers entries for the Zigzag...
    3 days ago
  • Two Men Bitten Within 12 Hours Downunder

    In a seriously unlikely string of events, two surfers...
    3 days ago
  • Saffa on Saffa Showdown in Round 3

    With the Margaret River Pro being called off this morning...
    3 days ago
  • Buffalo City Surf Pro – Finals Day

    In South Africa, the QS is a dreamy affair....
    4 days ago
  • Buffalo City Surf Pro – Day 2

    Today the ladies shone bright like stars in the...
    5 days ago
  • Buffalo City Surf Pro – Day 1

    A dash of upsets and a sprinkling of high...
    6 days ago
  • The Big Foot Bounty

    Cause we all know Big Foot rules the Reef,...
    6 days ago
  • Mitchum Buffalo City Surf Pro presented by Reef

    Welcome to the Mitchum Buffalo City Surf Pro presented...
    6 days ago
  • Discovery of New Ocean Current

    A partnership between local and international universities, the Council for Scientific...
    6 days ago
  • Jason Statham In A Movie About Giant Sharks

    So, word on the street is that Hollywoods most...
    7 days ago
INSTAGRAM
  • Keegan Moffat with this little leftover from the Rolling Retro. How them colours yo.

SUBSCRIBE

PRINT
MAGAZINE
  

DIGITAL
MAGAZINE
  

FOLLOW US

SIGN UP FOR OUR MAILER

 

CONTACT INFO

Zigzag
281 Florida Road
Morningside
4001
Durban
Phone: +27 (0) 31 521 0277
CONTACT US    TERMS & CONDITIONS    ADVERTISING