Watch disabled surfers take to the water
There will be seven surfers participating, each with various disabilities
It’s all systems go for the Adaptive Surfing fun day and prize-giving that takes place at Amanzimtoti main beach on Saturday, 9 July.
“There will be seven surfers participating, each with various disabilities,” said Adaptive Unlimited’s Wesley Smith.
“The Toti community might want to come down and watch South Africa’s top seeded completely blind surfer, Danito Mandlane. Danito was declared completely blind at the age of eight-months-old, which makes his ability to surf even more amazing. He is also a musician and completed the Midmar Mile this year. He is truly an inspiring grommet.”
There will be six chief co-ordinators and about 10 co-ordinators dressed in white shirts on the day to assist the public with any information. Wesley Smith, Shaun ‘sparrow’ Marot, Raymond Ninow, Joe Steyn, Leon van Zyl and Julia Morris are the chief co-ordinators.
At 9am surfing and bodyboarding pros, ex-pros and underground chargers will show off their skills on the north side of the bathing area in what will be Toti’s first-ever official expression session with professional commentary.
“The expression session is open to any bodyboarders or surfers from Toti, free of charge. If anybody wants to enter they must be at the beach office at 8am for registration,” said Wesley.
From 9.30am to 11am, the Adaptive Surfing grommets take to the water to show off their skills and catch some waves with professional commentary.
Participants will then be taken for a sponsored lunch and games before local musicians play an acoustic jam session for them. “Listen out for the multi-talented Danito, who will play a rendition of Rodriguez – Sugar Man on his clarinet with local musicians Durran Trevisan and Brandon Hunt who have given their time for free for the event,” said Wesley.
The day will end with a potjie tasting competition and prize-giving. Call Wesley on 082-802-1349 as seats at prize-giving are limited.
“The only prizes still needed for the day are to bulk up the participants’ goodie bags which they will receive with their trophies. Eight identical prizes for each goodie bag are needed, as 10-year-old local Toti boy Reece Smith, who is also disabled, will join his friends for the Adaptive Surfing fun day and an extra goodie bag is needed. If you can help with the goodie bags, call Wesley or email wesleysmith@adaptiveunlimited.com.
Profiles:
- Name: Danito Mondlane
- Age: 12
- Disability: Blind
- Where do you live? Berea, Durban
- How long have you been surfing? 13 months
- What made you start? I heard from a colleague about adaptive surfing, so I decided to join to become active, be water safe and have fun.
- Name: Sarah Wright
- Age: 11
- Disability: I am not physically disabled, but I have health issues. I suffer from a form of SLE (lupus). As a result, I have cardiac, bowel and liver problems.
- Where do you live? Bluff
- How long have you been surfing? Since Wesley formed Adaptive Surfing about a year ago.
- What made you start? I thought it would give me an opportunity to try new things and forget about my issues for a while.
- Name: Mohamed Alfaaz
- Age: 11
- Disability: Blind
- Where do you live? Overport, Durban
- How long have you been surfing? About a year
- What made you start? When Wesley set up the first adaptive surfing session at Addington Beach, I participated and enjoyed it so much I continued. Wesely and his team of helpers are tremendous and they are always willing to assist in every session.
- Name: Luke Lotter
- Age: 13
- Disability: Paraplegic
- Where do you live? Umhlanga Rocks
- How long have you been surfing? Since August 2015
- What made you start? I was invited by Wesley to try it out and I had great fun in the water.
- Name: Erynn Geddie
- Age: 11
- Disability: Severely visually impaired
- Where do you live? Glenwood, Durban
- How long have you been surfing? I had a few lessons in Muizenberg years ago when I went to hospital in Cape Town, but I started surfing regularly about a year ago.
- What made you start? I was inspired by my older brother Lloyd because he said it was fun.
- Name: Amuri Mwanza
- Age: 14
- Disability: Dwarfism
- Where do you live? Addington, Durban
- How long have you been surfing? 6 months
- What made you start? I started surfing because Adaptive Surfing KZN invited me to join.
- Name: Ranetsi Manyoni
- Age: 18
- Disability: Double above knee amputee
- Where do you live? Umlazi
- How long have you been surfing? 8 months
- What made you start? I started surfing eight months ago and I just loved it.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
