Children learning to surf in surf4all programme
SLIGO Sport and Recreation Partnerships annual Surf4all programme took place last week at Streedagh beach.
There were 3 sessions per day and each hour long session facilitates a different group of children.
A total of 23 children from the age of 7 to 17 took part in the camp this year and over 60 volunteers assisted these children on the water throughout the week.
The participants have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and the nature of the surf4all camp enables these children to access the sport of surfing in a fun orientated, safe and positive environment.
The event is organised, funded and overseen by a number of entities including Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership, Sligo Autism Services, the Irish Surfing Association and local surf instructors.
The camp is a project under the partnerships sports inclusion disability programme and the Sligo Sports inclusion disability officer has been overseeing the organisation and running of the camp since 2011.
There were volunteers from all walks of life. Some had a back- ground in water safety, swimming or surfing, others were interested in the area of childcare and provision of programmes for people with disabilities, others had never partook in an initiative like surf4all previously but were keen and enthusiastic to assist and learn from the experience.
The generosity of the volunteers ensure the camp is an ongoing success. Some giving one hour of their time and others showing immense dedication by volunteering for the full week. The volunteers’ enthusiasm and energy make the camp a meaningful experience for each participant.
Individuals with autism find the water soothing and therapeutic and the sport of surfing is structured and systematic and really suits the needs of our children.
Previous participants of the camp have progressed to taking mainstream surf lessons and some are surfing on a regular basis thanks to the foundation, knowledge and water confidence the surf4all camp provided.
Parents have given valuable feedback to the programme and are keen to praise the volunteers and the experience provided for their son or daughter.
One parent of an 8-year-old boy with Autism commented to the camp coordinator how it was “the best week of his life” and there was no other service where her son would get “a 3 to 1 ratio…all the positive attention is fantastic for him”.
Another parent of a 10-year-old boy who is on the Autism Spectrum explained how she found it difficult to motivate her son to join in physical activity due to his lack of confidence and his high levels of social anxiety. However she was delighted to report this wasn’t the case with the surf4all camp and that every morning “he’s eager to come down and get into his wetsuit”.
ONE PARENT SAID HER SON TOLD HER IT WAS THE BEST WEEK OF HIS LIFE