As surfers we all know how good it feels to get in the sea and ride the waves. Everyone deserves the chance to feel that feeling – and that’s what adaptive surfing is about. Using specialist coaching and equipment there’s a growing array of amazing adaptive schools, hubs and organisations in the UK that are committed to creating opportunities for people with disabilities to overcome limitations and feel the joy of surfing, whether that’s on their feet, their knees, their belly or seated.
In this feature we explore what adaptive (or para) surfing involves and the different approaches to board riding, how adaptive surfing progression is changing the surfing world and communities, the mental and physical health benefits that it brings, and where to find excellent adaptive surf programmes in the UK.
What adaptive surfing involves
Adaptive surfing can be flexible depending on every individual’s disability, unique needs and surfing goals – but typically surf lessons for beginners will include assistance from multiple specially trained coaches (ISA Adaptive Surfing Instructors) and use of adaptive equipment that’s designed to make the experience as safe, fun and accessible as possible.
Surfing can usually be approached in the following ways:
Single board / solo surfing
This option is for surfers who can use the board by themselves, with varying levels of support given depending on their needs. Surfers will usually be either standing, kneeling or in prone position, depending on what’s most comfortable for them.
Tandem surfing
Surfers who need some extra support with balance or have difficulty understanding instructions will suit tandem surfing, which involves one-on-one assistance from at least one coach and riding the waves sitting, kneeling or prone.
Seated tandem surfing
For surfers who find it difficult or uncomfortable to sit, kneel or lie down unsupported, specially adapted seated tandem boards are brilliant. The support will usually be four-to-one with some coaches surfing tandem and some providing in-water help.
Prone surfing
This surfing style is for surfers who would like to surf as independently as possible but are unable to stand or kneel on a board. Prone boards are adapted with handles and a support for the surfer’s chest – and the surfers will usually have a pusher to get into the waves and a catcher in the shallows.
It’s not just the boards and wave riding approaches that can be adapted for surfers with disabilities. Specialist para surfing kit includes protective gear like helmets, harnesses and straps, adjustable wetsuits with leg and arm zips and beach wheelchairs for access to the water. All reputable surf schools and hubs will provide this equipment and have the right training, knowledge, skills and experience to use it well.
How adaptive surfing is breaking down barriers
The rise of adaptive surfing in recent years is making a big difference to the disabled surfing community and helping to foster greater inclusivity and diversity within the surf industry. But it’s also helping to promote inclusivity and challenge wider societal norms surrounding disability. The ocean is a powerful force and surfing is a challenging sport for everyone! By embracing the power and challenge, despite physical limitations, adaptive surfers and coaches are inspiring awe and helping to reframe perceptions and prejudices about what it means to be disabled. How cool is that?
The mental and physical health benefits of adaptive surfing
Surfing can have a transformative effect on our health and wellbeing, whatever our background or experience levels. But as well as the more obvious benefits of the physical exercise involved, adaptive surfing brings so many amazing therapeutic benefits to people with disabilities that can cause a positive ripple effect in other areas of their lives. Some of these benefits include:
Rehabilitation
The acts of paddling, balancing on the board, carrying out turns and surfing maneuvres promotes strength and coordination. And for surfers with spinal cord injuries or limb loss, for example, it can improve motor skills, enhance range of motion and help individuals to regain control and function in affected areas.
Connections with nature
Immersion in the ocean helps all surfers to gain deeper connections with the natural world. And for people with disabilities it can bring peace, perspective and escapism from the daily challenges and limitations that they’re facing.
Sensory stimulation
The sights, sounds, smells, and tactility of the water provides a rice sensory experience that can be especially beneficial for people who have neurological conditions or sensory processing disorders, helping to enhance overall sensory awareness and improve motor control.
Community
Surfing with like-minded people in similar situations and taking part in a new, exciting experience an an adaptive surf school can foster a sense of belonging, togetherness and community, helping to lessen any feelings of isolation.
Positive mindset & self-belief
Being able to get in the water and surf empowers people with disabilities, helping them to push their limitations, feel immense accomplishment and increase their confidence and resilience – all leading to a positive mindset and a greater sense of self-belief.
Adaptive surf schools, hubs and organisations in the UK
Since ISA began hosting the World Para (Adaptive) Surfing Championship in 2015, growing numbers of specialised surf schools, hubs and organsiations have emerged across the globe making adaptive surfing more accessible than it’s ever been.
Here are some of the awesome inclusive surf centres we have here in the UK:
The Wave Project
Watergate Bay in Cornwall, Croyde in North Devon and Scarborough in North Yorkshire
The Wave Project is a charity dedicated to transforming lives through surf therapy. Their fully funded six week therapy courses and surf clubs are improving the mental health and wellbeing of young people facing difficulties up and down the whole country – and in 2023 they opened the first official surfing centre for people with disabilities in Croyde, in a partnership with Surfing England and Surf South West Surf School. It was the first time that Surfing England (the national governing body for surfing in England) has designated a surf school an ‘adaptive surfing hub’, so it was a pretty momentous moment for The Wave Project and all involved!
The Wave Project have since launched two more adaptive surfing hubs – one at Watergate Bay in Cornwall and one at Scarborough in North Yorkshire.
Every hub is a ‘centre of excellence’ for people with disabilities who want to learn to surf or improve in the sport, with highly trained coaches, the latest adaptive surfing equipment, access to the beach (no steps or cliffs) and disabled parking nearby.
Surfability UK
Caswell Bay, Gower, Wales
Surfability UK is a Community Interest Company that offers year-round surf lessons and experiences for people with disabilities, illnesses, injuries or learning difficulties from the beautiful Caswell Bay on the Gower.
What started out as a small surf school working out of a car, Surfability UK is now a world-leading adaptive surf school at the forefront of global para surfing. In the past few years director and head coach Ben Clifford and coach Toby Williams have managed the Welsh Adaptive Surfing team, attending multiple international competitions – plus Ben co-wrote the International Surfing Association Adaptive Surf Instructor Qualification.
These guys are offering a gold standard of adaptive surf instructing – go check them out!
SurfABLE Scotland
North East Scotland coast
SurfABLE Scotland has been a trailblazer in adaptive surfing ever since its beginnings in 2017. It’s the first organisation of its kind in Scotland – and is the most northerly adaptive surf therapy centre in the world! The team are all about ‘dismantling the societal barriers that exclude individuals with disabilities from the surfing community’, particularly those that have been marginalised by physical or neurological conditions. Surfers can take part in a mix of surf lessons and sessions, designed for a variety of disabilities and needs.
It was through surf lessons at SurfABLE that 10 year Jade Edward became the first Scotland’s first surfer to compete in the World Para Surf Championships, and the youngest ever female to compete. She placed 7th and to top it all off, became the first Scottish surfer to reach an ISA International Event. You can read the inspiring story of her experience at the competition here.
South Shields Surf
South Shields, Tyne & Wear
South Shields Surf is a Community Interest Company in the north of England in Tyne & Wear. They’re all about sharing the benefits of being in and around our ocean – and making that as accessible as possible.
South Shields Surfs offers a brilliant variety of lessons and experiences including Wellbeing Sessions for adults wanting to improve their mental health, SEN Sessions for people with special educational needs and Adaptive Surfing for people with disabilities.
The English Para Surfing Open
If you’re keen to see some inspiring adaptive surfers taking to the water, head to the 2024 Musclefood English Para Surfing Open at The Wave in Bristol. The event is taking place on Thursday 4th and Friday 5th July, with surfers from across the world being welcomed to compete to bring together the para surfing community.
The competition will be running the 9 ISA para surfing divisions as well as some open categories for surfers who are not classified.
2023’s Para Surfing Open was held at Putsborough in the North Devon World Surfing Reserve and saw nearly 30 athletes and 60 volunteers travelling from far and wide to take part. The conditions aligned perfectly, creating an epic spectator event – especially when Pegleg Bennett got into a barrel!
Volunteers are hugely important in making these events a reality, so if you fancy helping out with wetsuits, boards, in water safety or assisting surfers who require pushers and catchers, get in touch with the team at Surfing England.
You can find out more about the details of the event here.
