Surfers riding wave of success
Gary Blaschke, Jane Maher and Jim Bradley get on board to teach others to surf.
The first Queensland branch of the Disabled Surfers Association is riding a wave of interest as Gold Coast residents get on board to help people with a disability experience the magic of surfing.
Branch president, Jane Maher, said she had been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of local people wanting to support the association.
"A 20-person strong committee has been formed and people are offering all sorts of support from lending surfboards to providing catering during events," said Jane.
The association helps people with a range of physical, intellectual and sensory disabilities to have a go at surfing.
"We start out in still water on soft surfboards and then go to a safe area of the surf." "The secret is having lots and lots of helpers - we probably need around four to eight helpers for every new surfer."
The Disabled Surfers Association was formed in New South Wales in 1986 by surfer, Gary Blaschke, who lost a kneecap in a motorcycle accident. He noticed that he and many other former surfers who'd developed a disability were having trouble getting back in the water.
The organisation now has five branches in New South Wales , one in South Australia and the newly formed Gold Coast chapter which will hold up to three events a year at Currumbin Beach .
For more information contact the Disabled Surfing Association on 0417 773 615 or 5568 7390 visit the website www.disabledsurfers.org
All aboard the Combie Trader II.
Bill's fishing for better access
Bill Turner loves fishing so much he wants to make sure all Queenslanders can experience the joy of 'reeling one in'.
The head of the state's peak recreational fishing group, Sunfish, Bill is passionate about making his sport more accessible to people with a disability.
"I get calls every day from parents who want to get their kids out fishing," said Bill.
"After organising my first few fishing trips for people with a disability I could see there was a real need for some sort of accessible fishing network."
Bill has now taken matters into his own hands and with the support of the Department of Primary Industries and other sponsors such as Yellow Cabs, he has organised a number of accessible fishing trips aboard the Combie Trader II on Moreton Bay .
"So far we've managed to take five groups of 25 people out and given them an experience they normally wouldn't have been able to have," said Bill.
"What I'd like to do is set up a properly resourced coordination point where people can enquire about what services and facilities are available."
For more information phone Sunfish on (07) 3880 4261 or visit their website www.sunfishqld.com.auLast updated November 2007