Breaking the Barrier 2010
BREAKING THE BARRIER 2010 ... Sun, Surf (just a little!) and Smiles
day, an added bonus for everyone involved in this year's event. With a lot more planned to happen on the beach, a happy band of helpers arrived early to put up marquees and make sure everything was ready for the arrival of the first wannabe surfers. With a slight breeze blowing, there was just the right amount of surf to give everyone a safe but exciting experience on the boards.
Later on, whilst the surfin dudes (and dudesses!) and their families were experiencing the thrills and spills of riding the waves, Totnes Rotarians were busy filling the beach with the mouth watering aroma of freshly barbecued burgers and hot dogs being made ready for the tired but happy surfers to renew their energy.Totnes Rotary President David Stevens said " We were amazed at how all the kids (some with profound disabilities) took to the water on huge surf boards with their coaches. The beaming smiles on their faces when they came to the barbecue afterwards really made it a pleasure and privilege to witness. We're glad we were able
Further along the beach volunteers from Lloyds Bank were helping participants with surf boards, wet suits, and buoyancy aids and raffling a brand new surf board donated by Tiki. Tim Burston, Relationship Manager, of Lloyds Banking Group commented enthusiastically -"we all had a great day & thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to help with such a worthwhile event. The looks on the childrens' faces when they rode a wave or scored a goal alone made it well worth our time & who could fail to appreciate spending a day on the beach on such a great day."
Totnes-based soul funk band Mig added to the holiday atmosphere with a great live sound drawing in families from all over the beach and the traditional Punch and Judy show was such a hit with adults and children alike that -'that's the way to do it!'- had to be put on 3 or 4 times.
Event sponsors Eskeez were also on the beach showing off their thermal sports wear, Torquay United-s Community Team set up their Goal Strike challenge for everyone to test their footy skills, with great success and beach art sponsored by the Devon Guild of Craftsmen had everyone building sandcastles and making pictures in the sand.
Richard Hanlon CEO of Lifeworks said -" Our fourth year of Breaking the Barrier was a tremendous success with families from all over Devon, and some as far away as Surrey and Kent taking part. It was heart-warming to see such happy smiling faces and our plans to involve everybody on the beach with music and other activities was a great step forward. Next year will be even bigger and better!" he promised. "I would also like to thank all our volunteers who helped us make this an extraordinary day - we couldn't do it without you"
Anyone interested in helping or sponsoring this project or knowing of children who would benefit by participating. please contact the Lifeworks Team on 01803 840744.
Once again, as a small fundraising effort for next year's surfing programme, we're offering photos of this year's events for sale. If you're at all interested, please click on the link below and have a browse. If you'd like to order photos, please make a note of the photo ID, download the attached order form, complete and send it back to us.