Huey, the Disabled Surfers’ Wave God, placated by the traditional sacrificial burnt offerings of wax and body boards, again provided great waves for the event.

Disabled Surfers’ events are open to anyone who has a disability preventing them from otherwise enjoying what the rest of us take for granted – the opportunity to enjoy the region’s greatest treasure – the beach and its waves.

All disability challenges are catered for, both physical and mental.

The DSA’s mission is simply to put “smiles on dials –safely”.

The DSAA is a totally voluntary surfing charity, operating for the past 23 years without any government funding, now comprised of 13 branches in all Australian mainland states, with Victoria (Barwon Heads) and NZ being the most recent new branches.

Operating five or six boards at a time, ensuring there is always a minimum of six helpers per participant, the wetsuit clad participants, each surfed six to seven waves per rotation.

Those waiting their turn, took part in the hotly contested sand modelling and toss the sandbag competitions.

At the end of two and a half hours of surfing the whole group retired to the food marquees to enjoy a hot four-course meal, with hot chocolate being most popular drink of the day, while watching or competing in the ‘toss the flipper’ event with Olympic functionality classification rules applying.

At the prize giving ceremony, all the participants were congratulated for their fine efforts with the individual awards going to:

Helper of the Day went to Samantha White, from St John’s Nowra.

Best Novice Surfer was Alan Stirling, who had not surfed before and never stopped smiling the whole day.

Furthest travelled went to Camilla Pride just out here from Columbia.

Sand modeller of the day Sharon Doorey with a working volcano – awesome.