The charity, which aims to provide access to the sea through a variety of adapted watersports for those considered less able, hosted a weekend of surfing sessions for its members for the first time this year.
The group had been using the flow rider at the Merton Hotel throughout the colder months but is returning to Le Braye in St Ouen’s Bay for the summer season.
Max Wiltshire, co-founder of the charity, said that members were delighted about returning to the ocean despite the sea temperature being a cool 9.7°C.
‘It is great to see everyone back in the water and enjoying themselves. As we transition into summer, we will be putting on more weekend events for our athletes, as well as after-school and half-term sessions too,’ he said.
The charity has applied for a grant from the second tranche of the government’s Fiscal Stimulus Fund in the hope that it will be able to create an inclusive disability surf centre in the car park at Le Braye. Mr Wiltshire said the centre was expected to cost up to £400,000 to build.
‘We are hoping to hear whether we’re successful by early May and then we have to wait and see if our planning application is accepted,’ he said. ‘The centre would give us a permanent base for our equipment and we would create a public changing facility for those with disabilities. It would be a great step forward if our application is accepted and would show that our Island does not discriminate against those considered less able.’
Looking ahead to the rest of the year, Mr Wiltshire said the charity had plenty of fundraising opportunities in the pipeline.
‘Last year, with Covid restrictions, we could not pull as many large-scale fundraisers together as we would have liked. However, this year we have plenty of ideas in mind, starting with our ocean raffle in May, which includes some amazing prizes,’
he said.
