sport , leisure & travel
surf ’ s up
With support from hundreds of volunteers , the Disabled Surfers Association of Australia ( DSAA ) is ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the ocean and experience the joy of surfing in a safe environment .
Western Australia ’ s All Saints ’ College has been a proud supporter of DSAA ’ s Perth Branch with many current and former students , staff and parents volunteering at their ‘ Let ’ s go Surfing Days ’ throughout the year .
Acting head of service learning Mrs Natasha Saunders said the DSAA surfing events have become a permanent fixture in the College ’ s calendar that the community really looks forward to .
“ They are a wonderful time for people to connect with familiar and new faces in a relaxed environment whilst sharing a common goal – to have a great time ,” she said .
During the warmer months , four surfing days are held at Perth ’ s Leighton Beach in North Fremantle , with around 50 people with disability and hundreds of volunteers attending each event .
All Saints ’ has fostered a strong partnership with the DSAA over the past four years , as part of the school ’ s Service Learning program which aims to help those in need and to make a positive difference in our world . The specialised program is embedded across the College and curriculum , allowing students in every year level to engage in different acts of service with some of the school ’ s partner organisations , including DSAA , Anglicare , Amana Living , Nulsen Disability Services and The Salvation Army .
“ Our Service Learning program has experienced tremendous success and the benefits for our students are obvious , empowering them to become ethical , emotionally intelligent , spiritually aware , confident , and intellectually curious citizens who really want to make a positive difference in our world ,” Mrs Saunders said .
The DSAA was established in 1986 by surfer Gary Blaschke after he seriously injured his kneecap in a motorcycle accident and underwent extensive rehabilitation . Gary realised there were no opportunities for people with disabilities to enjoy surfing and so he developed DSAA .
Since then the voluntary not-forprofit organisation has expanded to include 16 branches across Australia and New Zealand .
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