BREAKING THE BARRIER
Breaking the Barrier addresses the very real need for sporting opportunities that cater to children and young adults with learning difficulties. There are very few such options for people with special needs, and even less where such children and young adults can take part alongside non-special needs people.
Breaking the Barrier is a means to change, and does indeed, break down the obstacles that have historically prevented children with autism or learning difficulties from learning how to surf and thereafter enjoying the sport in the long-term. Breaking the Barrier introduces autistic and learning disabled children to surfing.
We have held free one-day events all over the country, hosted by a network of surf schools. We've never had to publicise these events, as word of mouth brings hundreds of families to our doorstep. In 2009, we organised 6 surfing events in Wales, Kent, Norfolk, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall and were able to offer surfing to over 800 young people. Events are not intended to provide formal lessons, but rather offer the thrill of actually riding, and where possible, standing on a surfboard as it catches a wave with a specialist surfing instructor riding in tandem
The events are the means to break down barriers - social barriers, obstacles brought about due to disability, a lack of confidence, and/or affordability.
BREAKING THE BARRIER 2013 EVENT DETAILS
Breaking the Barrier is a day of free surfing sessions for learning disabled children between the ages of 8 and 25 as an introduction to the experience of surfing. The event consists of individual sessions for the young person with 1:1 instruction from a qualified coach who has knowledge of additional needs, a personal support assistant in the water and full support for first aid and lifeguarding.
There will also be group introductory lessons for a parent/carer or sibling to enable them to support and participate with the young person in the future.
We are planning three events again this year with Saunton on 29 June, Bigbury on 7 July and Polzeath on 14 September.
TO JOIN IN PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW
BREAKING THE BARRIER, SAUNTON SANDS
BREAKING THE BARRIER, BIGBURY
BREAKING THE BARRIER, POLZEATH
If you are unable to download the application forms please email
mike@lifeworks-uk.org
or contact us on
01803 840744
VOLUNTEER/SPONSOR/DONATE
VOLUNTEER:
We are looking for volunteers to help us with the events above. These events are like nothing else you've experienced: emotionally moving, rewarding, exhilarating, fantastic! Contact Mike Balmforth on 01803 840744 or email mike@lifeworks-uk.org if you would like to help in 2013 ... in the water or on the beach in Devon and Cornwall
SPONSOR/DONATE:
Sponsor a child; become an event sponsor; have a stall on the beach or make a donation via JustGiving
Contact Laura on 01803 840744 or email laurabambrey@lifeworks-uk.org your support will be very welcome and will help us to be able to continue running the events