BIG swells created plenty of thrills for board riders of all abilities taking part in the third annual Surf4All event at the weekend.
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Four new surfers took part in the adaptive surf event, joining four repeat participants, ranging in age from six years old into their 50s.
The event is the brainchild of surfer and mum Kylie Thulborn, who saw a need for more all-inclusive events to cater for people like her son, Harvey, a wheelchair user.
“It’s just like pure joy. It’s a monumental experience for everyone involved,” Ms Thulborn said of Sunday’s event.
“It’s a real celebration of getting out there in the waves.”
The surf lessons began to cater for surfers with high mobility needs and have since expanded to include people with high support needs, such as autism and epilepsy.
Ms Thulborn said it would not be possible to host the free event without the support of its well-trained water safety volunteers.
“Every person there has a love of our coast and of surfing and just wants to share that,” she said.
“We have a core group of guys who have helped every single year and people just come from everywhere to get these guys in the water.”
For the surfers, Ms Thulborn said the event was like nothing else.
“Days like that creates resilience and creates confidence. It’s just like magic,” she said.
“Everyone gets in the water. It’s not really structured, participants can catch as many waves as they want.
“It’s inspiring people who don’t have battles and barriers in their life to see these guys are rocking it, there’s no excuses.”
Ms Thulborn thanked the surfing community, surf lifesaving club and local organisations for supporting the event.
“Everyone left with a smile on their face,” she said.