Historic moment as Australian surf life saving adds inclusive sport, adaptive events to Aussies
It’s been rated a significant moment in surf life saving history and if the smiles and cheers at the first inclusive beach and surf races at the Aussies are an indication – one of its most popular.
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It's been rated one of the most significant moments in Australian surf life saving history and the first ever inclusive racing at the famous annual championships has won the hearts and souls of competitors, supporters and the crowd.
For the first time since the inaugural Aussies back in 1915, adaptive events were raced at the 2024 Sunshine Coast event and proved a big hit while won over a new legion of fans.
“It’s great to see this happen,’’ said Wanda’s Denny Rowlands who bought a large team to the event, including son Dalton, 14, who has autism, and runs the Red Fins inclusive and Accessible program.
“It’s all about being accepted. Removing the barriers to the beach.
“My kids don’t get invited to birthday parties and don’t have a lot of friends. This is the life of them and their families.
“You can’t be what you can’t see so this is wonderful.’’
Surf life saving took advice on how to set up the competition to bring out the best in their athletes with mats put down for wheelchair access, sensory quite zones set up and guides and handlers available if there were needed to make surf life saving “a happy place’’.
“Thanks for having us surf life saving,’’ said Max Letizia from Sorrento in WA after his beach sprint.
Darcy Gilbert from the Wanda club, said he was having the time of his life.
“To come all the way to Queensland with mates and have heaps of fun is just amazing,’’ said the 15-year-old who s dreaming of a career as a rugby league player.,
“It’s very important for me and the others.’’
Clubmates Dalton Rowland and Daniel Driscoll agreed.
“It’s really good to get outside, be active and off the screens,’' said 14-year-old Rowland who is keen to be an architect.
“Sport teaches you good things, shows you how to achieve,’’ said Driscoll who also does karting and wants to be a Supercar driver.
Australian surf life saving president John Baker said the new event was a special moment for the movement.
“It one of the biggest moment with things like the introduction of Nippers in the late 60s and 70s, the introduction of women as patrol lifesavers in the 1980s and if we are successful with our Brisbane Olympic bid,’’ he said.
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Originally published as Historic moment as Australian surf life saving adds inclusive sport, adaptive events to Aussies
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