Waves of joy after Daniel’s tumour fight

12-year-old survivor hits surf

A boy who had to learn how to walk again after suffering a life-threatening brain tumour has taken to the waves on a surf board.

Daniel Strong, who lives in Elgin, braved the bracing Moray Firth breeze and chilly water to tame “white horses” rolling into the coast yesterday.

Now the 12-year-old intends to become a regular surfer by returning to the Lossiemouth coast next year after building up his strength in a swimming pool during the winter.

It was the first time the sports enthusiast has sampled gliding over the currents – taking advantage of an adapted surfboard, which is the first of its kind in Scotland.

After his return to dry land yesterday, he described the thrill of riding the waves as “brilliant”.

Daniel said: “Going under was the best bit. I can’t wait to do it again.”

While undergoing surgery to remove the tumour seven years ago, the Elgin High School pupil developed stroke-like symptoms.

He was left permanently blind in his right eye and had to undergo physiotherapy to learn to walk again after his left side was left weak. But yesterday Daniel cast off his disabilities while high-fiving surfing instructors from charity Friendly Access, which runs the Surfable programme.

The eyes of the keen sportsman, who also takes part in the ball sport boccia and horse-riding, lit up at the prospect of becom- ing engulfed in the waves when he looked out to sea. He put his arms out wide and called for bigger waves as the instructors manoeuvred the board in the water.

Mother Caroline O’Connor, who watched from the beach, said: “He loves sport but it’s really hard to find activities that are accessible to him – when we saw this surfing board we jumped at the chance. He’s been excited about it for days. I warned him it will be cold but he hasn’t cared.

“It’s been amazing. It was his first time, it was always one of those things we always thought he was never going to be able to do.”

Glyn Morris, chief executive of Friendly Access, said: “There should be no barriers for people with disabilities.”

SPLASHING OUT: Daniel Strong is guided out into the waves by Kev Anderson for his first surfing experience