More than 60 adaptive surfers from 18 countries, including Australia, are taking part in the International Surfing Association’s inaugural event in southern California this weekend.
The 2015 ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship, held at La Jolla Shores in San Diego, aimed to give disabled surfers a platform with a view to inclusion in the Parapan Am and Paralympic Games, the ISA said.
The event has four divisions to accommodate surfers who ride waves standing or kneeling, seated, lying down or assisted and has attracted some of the world’s best disabled surfers.
Eighteen international teams are confirmed for the event. The Australian team is made of three ‘standing’ surfers – Jade Wheatly, Jake Matthews and Mono Stewart, all from NSW.
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“I’m totally excited and stoked that adaptive surfers from 18 countries around the globe have converged in La Jolla to share their passion for the sport. This is a historic gathering of the adaptive surfing community, which the ISA is very proud to be leading,” ISA President Fernando Aguerre said on its website.
Disabled surfing has often been documented but this is the first time the International Surfing Association has put on a dedicated international event.
Watch a video about a paraplegic mother from South Australia who is able to enjoy the waves thanks to her tandem surfing partner:
