WITH the yellow and red flags up, and the surfing season in full swing, Disabled Surfing Association Mid North Coast (DSA) is back on the boards with the announcement of 2023/2024 supervised surfing dates.

On Saturday 28 October the DSA season kicks off at Coffs Jetty.

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Always on a Saturday, further DSA events take place on 25 November at Woolgoolga, 6 January at Coffs Jetty, 3 February at Woolgoolga and 2 March at Coffs Jetty.

“Our days are free for those who wish to come along,” DSA committee member Richie Goddard told News Of The Area.

“We’ve been fortunate to have people come from inland communities like Armidale who come down for the day and even go as far as turning their visit into a weekend in our community.”

The DSA days bridge the gap between the disability and mainstream communities through socialising and forming friendships.

“Having said that, many people who volunteer either know someone who participates in the surf days whether it be volunteering and introduced by word of mouth or by knowing a participant of our surf days,” said Richie.

“Our group places a very high emphasis on enjoyment for everyone and every time we have a surf day there are smiles all around from everyone who comes.”

The surfing mornings start at 8:00am for sign-on followed by a 9:00am briefing.

Participants and volunteers then hit the water for some surfing.

“We organise everyone into teams, usually four or five teams of around fifteen people in each team, to create a corridor for the participants to surf down.

“Some participants require supervision because of their disability, whilst others like to show off and get a high five from the team,” said Richie.

The surfing wraps up around 11:30am, followed by a presentation and a free BBQ hosted by Coffs Harbour Rotary Club for the Jetty days and Woolgoolga Lions for the Woolgoolga days.

For more information on DSA surf days and to access photos taken each surfing day, follow and like the Mid North Coast Disabled Surfers Association page.

To book your ticket to participate or volunteer, visit Hands on Surf Day on Eventbrite and enter the date and location.

By Andrea FERRARI