Volunteering With Disabled Surfers Association

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Sun 21 Feb 2016 - Sat 05 Mar 2016

Disabled Surfers Association (DSA) is a not for profit organisation, established in 1986. Its main aim is to allow people with disabilities to experience the joy of surfing. They rely very heavily on volunteers to get involved in these events and no, you don't need to know how to surf to help out. Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome.

Why Volunteer?
Seeing the 'smiles on dials' of the participants after catching a wave is an incredibly rewarding experience. The participants aren't the only ones smiling. As a volunteer, you are providing people with disabilities the opportunity to experience something they would not otherwise be able to. The organizers are caring and friendly and the event evokes an amazing feel-good atmosphere. You get to spend the day with a bunch of inspiring and self-less people.

What is involved?
The day will start with a briefing so you know what you will need to do and how to interact with the participants. There are a number of different volunteer roles and you don't even have to get in the water if you don't want to. The main role of in-water volunteers is to help the participants onto the board and form a channel near shore for the surfboard to be guided along. You will be divided into teams and will have an experienced team leader to guide you. Each team will have only one participant surfing at a time. It is very safe and well structured. On-shore roles include catering, assisting participants in preparing for their surf and loading and unloading of equipment.

How to get involved:
Dates, locations and times of events are listed below. Contact the relevant person to get involved. For more information visit disabledsurfers.org/vic

Glossary of terms that will help you blend into the surf culture:

Get Amped – get excited
Charging – going fast down the face of a wave
Dawn Patrol – going for a very early morning surf
Ding – damage to a surfboard
Get Dumped – where a wave breaks over you and dumps you on the sand
Foamie – a very buoyant, beginner board made of foam
Inside – the area of white water after a wave has broken. To get caught inside is when you can't get past the breaking waves when paddling out.
Out Back – beyond the breaking waves
Rail – the edge of the surfboard
Shaka – hand signal meaning to chill or hang loose. Also used to say hello.
Stick – slang for surfboard
Wipe-out – fall off the surfboard

WHEN:
Sunday 21st February 2016 @ Ocean Grove Main Beach
Contact Nicole 0422 066 834

Saturday 5th March 2016 @ Point Leo Beach, Mornington Peninsula
Contact Ash 0417 362 983 or Stewart 0418 101 645

#beaches
#bellarine_peninsula
#disabled_friendly
#free
#fun_things_to_do
#mornington_peninsula
#surfing
#victoria
#volunteering
#Wheelchair-Accessible-
#february
!date 21/02/2016 -- 05/03/2016
%wnmelbourne