BREAKING THE BARRIER AND SURFABLE
Lifeworks ran its first Breaking the Barrier event at Bigbury in 2007. It is an event-driven programme, which introduces youngsters between the ages of 8 and 25 who have a learning disability to the experience of surfing. 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.
Also at this time Surf Relief UK was establishing a network of surf schools to provide subsidised surf lessons to children and young adults with a disability. It was only natural for the two charities to join forces to the benefit of all children and young adults with disabilities. SurfABLE is the collaborative project in which Lifeworks delivers the Breaking the Barrier introduction events which lead into the larger programme. This larger programme includes a network of surf schools, other one day events, subsidised surf lessons and a support programme for these youngsters to continue the surfing experience and be included in surfing communities.
Each year, Lifeworks runs Breaking the Barrier events: a regular and large event to be held at Bigbury-on-Sea in Devon with Discovery Surf School, and support smaller events hosted by surf schools around the country. These events will be free to new participants. Organisations such as regional offices of the National Autistic Society and the Disability Network will be targeted to reach parents of eligible children, as well as special schools.
Breaking the Barrier events are held on a Saturday. On the Friday before these events, Lifeworks is planning to run a school Breaking the Barrier day, also hosted by the same surf schools involved in the events. Lifeworks will invite district council disability sports officers to take part and sponsoring other beach sports activities throughout the school day. Secondary schools, Special Schools and colleges will receive invitations to the school day, to be followed up by a small presentation at the school explaining the Breaking the Barrier concept, ethos and benefits. There will be a cost to the school per participating child. More details will be available as schools sign up.
Lifeworks will run training sessions for surf schools prior to the events under the direction of the Surf School leaders. Bigbury is the central event and new Surf Schools will be invited to attend to observe the concept first hand and it will act as a training day for others. Lifeworks believes there is great value in working with Surf Schools as part of the SurfABLE programme to bring the ethos of supporting disabled children and young people through the experience of surfing. Lifeworks with its experience and knowledge of Learning Disabilities joined with the skills and organisation of Surf Schools in the SurfABLE network creates a mutual synergy and a route into an inclusive long term activity. The wider and overarching SurfABLE project then picks up the sustainability routes by supporting ongoing lessons and support. District council disability sports officers will also be invited to be involved and participate in supporting the long term involvement of this group of young people and into their adult lives. In subsequent years, we would anticipate that new surf schools would receive their experience and training by participating at the Bigbury event before launching their own event as well as it being a focal point for sponsors and other support networks..
Lifeworks will oversee the organisation of all Breaking the Barrier events and ensure the opportunity for all participants to follow up their experiences with lessons or clubs at network surf schools. The overall aim of these events is to open the door to surfing to those who thought it out of reach, to create an unforgettable experience and point the way to a sustained inclusive activity that can be enjoyed together. Some people will always require 1:1 support, others will need it only to gain the skills and confidence to learn with others and some will find a hidden ability and perhaps lead by example.