Having a go

DESPITE overcast skies and an onshore breeze, the 14th annual Illawarra Have a Go Day at Thirroul attracted almost 30 surfers and plenty of enjoyment earlier this month.

Disabled surfers from as far as Bowral and Sydney, along with a New Zealand television reporter and a Swedish tourist enjoyed the South Coast branch of the Disabled Surfers Association (DSA) event.

Swedens Sebastian Forzsea, a paraplegic, had never been surfing before and said it was a brilliant sensation, asking when the DSA was setting up a branch in Sweden.

Curtis Palmer, partially quadriplegic, was reporting on the event for New Zealand television and spent 45 minutes in Thirroul pool to familiarise himself with the surfboards and amphibious wheelchairs.

DSA surfer Kelly McCann (who Tracks Surfing magazine labels the bravest surfer on the planet) surfed eight waves with her retinue of 30 helpers, constantly being respirated with a hand held resuscitator.

At the closing awards ceremony the major prize winners were:

Most courageous effort of the day: Sean Loves (Wombarra)

Wave of the day: Louise Kitching (Bowral)

Wipeout of the day: Curtis Palmer and Marty Reed (Bulli)

Most Inspirational of the day: Kelly McCann (perpetual award) and Louise Kitching.

DSA South Coast President Ian Picton thanked Thirroul Surf Club, the local surf industry, volunteers from local schools, Kiama Court Order of the Amaranth (for their donation of surfboards and a shade tent), Mae Smith, Sue Ollis and Mick Van Opstal, organiser of the Southern Collieries Surf Classic, who all made substantial monetary donations to the branch.

DSASC now have a Christmas break with their next local event on April 1 at Gerroa Beach.