Free surfing event in Devon - end of half term

[saintlyjimjams]

At Bigbury on Sea, South Devon

Run by Discovery Surf School

We are very pleased to announce our FREE event for autistic and disabled children is going to happen on Sunday the 30th of October from 10.30. All equipment will be provided and each child will receive a free one to one 45 minute lesson with our experienced coaches. Call/e-mail us for more details and to book your child's place. Email [email protected]

That's cut and pasted by the way - I don't work for Discovery

I do highly recommend them though. Their Facebook page has quite a few photos from other sessions with autistic and learning disabled kids and DS1 (12, severely autistic, severe LD's) surfs with them regularly - pretty much weekly at the moment.

I know I keep posting this but there's a video of DS1 with them here vimeo.com/28348727 to give a bit of an idea.

They really are a great bunch. You don't need a wetsuit or anything - it's all provided.

That's fair enough Saintly. I know people suggested those kinds of things for me to raise the funds for ABA but I couldn't. I sold my house instead and that sits more comfortably with me (that looks dramatic I know but our reasons were complex and also involved being able to rent on the doorstep of a much better school too etc.)

Hope you figure something out and whilst you're not asking if ever a pot becomes available for a very modest donation, do let me know.

Thanks Starlight - yes I do know exactly what you mean.

Just want to say good luck for the surfing, have a lovely time!

Thanks Davros - ds1 has already been twice this week and was a bit disappointed with the small waves on Wednesday (they weren't that small - but he was unimpressed -he's a bit of a pita when it's small as he hassles the coaches to keep paddling him and they end up knackered). The forecast for Sunday is pretty big - he'll be stoked, I just hope the other kids aren't too fazed.

Sounds absolutely fantastic.
Can we have a report back?

Of course! Am having problems with ds1 who wants to surf TODAY he's also told me he'd rather surf than go to school - I really do think he'd surf every day if he could.

It was great! Big waves today. Ds1 hurt his neck about 10 minutes before we left home but insisted on surfing. Really great day as usual - lots of stoked kids - more relaxed and chilled than the big breaking the barrier events. There are photos on the discovery surf school webpage.

Sorry I mean Facebook page!

Fantastic!
I spent the w/end at a remote beach whewre there were a lot of surfers so was thinking about how you got on.

Thought of writing up your experiences and sending the article to a publication like Special Education for consideration?

Hmm I could do. I am putting together a website and want to try and get some funding to help fund ds1's addiction - he really benefits from going weekly but I gets pricey because of the need for 1:1 coaching. An article would increase credibility and publicise the idea. I am very stretched at the moment though So it might take me some time.

I'm a fan because ds is a water-baby

Maybe next year...There's a cool surfin community up here in the North East. I'd love to give him the chance...

and happy sigh x

So glad it was good. You should send an article to the NAS COmmunication magazine.