A national surf competition for people with autism is set to be held at Fistral Beach, Newquay in July.

The Wave Project has obtained a grant from the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) to run the Surf Challenge for Autism 2013, which is expected to draw participants from all over the country.

The event will run over the weekend of July 6 to 7 at Newquay’s famous surfing beach, and will feature some of the UK’s best surfers who have a diagnosed autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).

It is the only event of its type to be held in the UK, and is being supported by Surfing GB, the national body for surfing.

Wave Project chief executive Joe Taylor said: “We are very proud to be hosting this fantastic national event for people with autism.

“Building on the Paralympic legacy it will help show that people with autism can surf to an exceptional standard.

“The event is good news for British surfing too, as it demonstrates that the sport is becoming more inclusive. We are delighted to receive this money from the Big Lottery Fund.”

The two day event will be split into beginner and advanced ability levels.

On Saturday there will be a beginner’s event for less experienced surfers and those with more severe autism.

Throughout the day there will be free 20 minute surfing taster sessions run by professional surf instructors, to enable people to try the sport

The second day will host the more advanced event, attracting some of the top surfers from around the country who have a diagnosed autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).

Nick Rees from Surfing GB said: “We are delighted to be supporting this fantastic event. Surfing GB is committed to increasing opportunities for all in surfing across the UK, so we are proud to be supporting the Surf Challenge for Autism that will enable people on the autistic spectrum to participate in a high profile competition.”

The Wave Project received funding from BIG’s most popular grants scheme Awards For All which gives small grants of up to £10,000 to projects that can make a big difference to people’s lives.

Helen Bullough, Big Lottery Fund spokesperson, said: “The uplifting Paralympic Games not only inspired a generation but helped to change perceptions and further understanding of disability. We are confident that the Wave Project will continue this legacy and help make a huge difference to the confidence and aspirations of people with autism.”

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Click on the photo to sponsor Paul today!

Our 52-year old volunteer Paul Bitmead will be taking on a huge challenge to raise funds for the Wave Project – by running the London Marathon with a surf board!

The father of one from Devon is hoping to become the first fundraiser to run along the streets of the capital whilst carrying a surf board un-assisted. Paul has been volunteering for the Wave project for over a year now and he has chosen to raise money so he can continue and support the good cause.

“I frequently travel from North Devon to Newquay to help out with the Wave Project.” said Paul. “It’s really rewarding spending time with the young people involved and seeing how time in the water boosts their confidence and self-esteem. I’ve seen lives transformed by the great work that the project does with very few resources and I know that all the money raised by me doing the London Marathon will make a big difference to their work”.

Stepping up his training, the 52 year old has already lost three stone and is planning to start practising running with the board soon. The surf board is being donated by Cornwall College and will be made of fibreglass by Surf Science students in Newquay.

The surfboard was presented to Paul by the College students at the Wave Project’s cold water challenge fundraising event last Saturday at Gwithian Beach.

Paul’s marathon has already been endorsed by former surf champions Laird Hamilton, Gerry Lopez, Shaun Tomson, Mark Richards and Jeff Clark, who have all sent messages of support to Paul.

If you would like to sponsor Paul’s marathon please go to his just giving website: http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/paulsmarathonsurf.

This funding will be used on a special project in partnership with two local schools in Cornwall, Penair School and Penrice College.

10 children from each of these schools will benefit from a free surfing course with the Wave Project as part of their PE activities, in order to help them build confidence and self esteem.

Once again, thanks to SCCT for making this project possible!

Job title: Surf Club Coordinator

Description:
The Wave Project has an exciting vacancy for the post of Surf Club Coordinator thanks to funding from BBC Children In Need!

Based at our new office at the Health and Wellbeing Innovation Centre in Truro, the postholder will be responsible for managing and developing our fantastic surf club. They will work directly with club members, organise and attend club committee meetings and look for ways to develop the club going forward.

The ideal candidate will be someone with previous experience of running a club for young people, who has energy, enthusiasm and an interest in surfing. They will be self-motivated and able to communicate clearly with both children and adults.

Please click on the links below to download the application form, job description and person spec below. Please return it to us by 12pm on March 28th either by post or email. Please note, CVs will not be accepted.

SCC Application Form
Surf Club Coordinator PS
Surf Club Coordinator JD

Sponsors are now being sought to support the event, which will take place in Newquay, Cornwall, in July.

The event will attract over 100 competitors of all ages, all of whom have an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). They will compete in a professionally-judged, 2-day surf event, which will also feature live music and partying.

The competition itself will invite entries at both beginner and advanced level, and will be judged by professionals who work on the ASP tour. Awards will be presented by VIPs.

A basic sponsorship package starts at £1,000 ($1,500), which includes your brand logo in all posters, flyers, flags, stickers, boards and promo clothing both before and during the event. Last year the event was widely covered in the media, including TV coverage on the BBC and ITV networks, as well as press, magazines and online.

Sponsors also have the satisfaction of supporting a unique event for autistic people – the only surf competition of its kind in Europe. For more information, please drop us an email or phone +44(0)1872 248324.

England’s national surf champion Hannah Harding has been appointed as the new Surf Ambassador for The Wave Project.

The 26-year old surfer and model will be working with young people from the project, inspiring them to get fit and improve their mental health through surfing.

Hannah, who won the English National surf championships last year, says: “It’s an honour to be The Wave Project’s Surf Ambassador and a real pleasure to be working with such a wonderful project.”

Hannah’s initial role with the project will be to lead a series of winter surfing sessions, which have been funded by the West Cornwall Youth Trust.

She will be encouraging young people to improve their surfing by running a series of weekend sessions at the Loop Flowrider, Cornwall’s artificial wave.

Joe Taylor, Wave Project Coordinator says: “We are really proud to have Hannah as our Surf Ambassador. Her enthusiasm for surfing and wanting to help young people is evident and she is already a great asset to our team.

“We are also grateful for the West Cornwall Youth Trust for supporting us to enable the momentum going throughout the winter.”

When most surfers flock to the Chilean coasts, they do so in search of monstrous waves.  However, New Jersey native Jonathan Stueber, and his old college friends Henry Myer and Todd Wiley, have found a different calling here.

The three friends traveled to Chile on a surf trip in 2007, and saw the massive disconnect between the local people and the surfing community.  After a few years of preparation the surfers made the journey to Valparaíso and began the VSP in 2009.
The non-profit group aims to provide a positive social environment for the students to enjoy an array of cultural experiences to address the emotional and financial strain of the program participants.  Through art, natural, recreation, and culture, the participants create relationships in contexts typically unavailable for positive development and learning.

Full story – http://www.santiagotimes.cl/sports/other/25544-on-chiles-coast-at-risk-youth-find-refuge-in-surfing

Brazil’s Blind Surfer from Storyhunter on Vimeo.