We were pleased to trial our newly accessible seated surfboards that we fully funded to Surfability in Swansea. It was staggering to watch wheelchair users hit the waves for the first time and experience surfing that promoted a fun-filled day for both the children and their siblings. Surfability is an amazing organisation dedicated to the inclusion of all, with a drive for such that we rarely encounter.
We are now fundraising for the next project, which is to build an Onit board, consisting of a paddle board that can be taken into calmer flat water to accommodate a person in a wheelchair that is steered by a paddler at the back or they can paddle themselves. The reason we need to build this item in addition to seated surfboards is because the initial surfboard cannot take a child with oxygen or a tracheostomy due to the chance of a wipe out. Whereas the Onit board is stable and unable to capsize, giving every child despite their needs or disabilities a chance to experience riding the waves. The cost of the new wheelchair paddleboard is £6,000 approx with delivery .
