West Coast Disabled Surfing Champs
On May 10 and 11, 2008 nine competitors from the West Coast of the USA and Hawaii, with disabilities that include amputees, quadriplegia, paraplegia, and muscular dystrophy will compete in the Western Surfing Association’s (WSA) West Coast Championship at Churches Beach in San Onofre, Calif.
AccesSurf Hawaii, who have been instrumental in helping wheelchair users and other disabled people within the USA to catch waves will also introduce the first judging criteria created to combine mainstream surfing guidelines with specialized standards for people with disabilities.
“We are excited and honored to have the opportunity to host a challenged athletes division at WSA’s West Coast Championship,” said Mark Marble, president and CEO of AccesSurf Hawaii. “One of our organization’s main goals is to engage challenged athletes to compete in mainstream surfing competitions in Hawaii and around the world. This competition is a huge step in the right direction, and we will continue to encourage these incredible athletes to push the envelope of competitive surfing and to pave the way for future generations.”
“Western Surfing Association is excited to provide a showcase for these talented, inspiring athletes,” said Greg Cruse, WSA Board Member. “It also is an opportunity to bring attention to the work of AccesSurf Hawaii in helping people with disabilities to enjoy the beach and ocean. California State Parks will be providing two of their special sand wheelchairs that are available at many of their beach parks to facilitate enjoyment of our beautiful beaches by everyone.”
The competitors will be:
- Rich Julian, Honolulu, Hawaii. (Paraplegic; riding wave ski)
- Jesse Billauer, Los Angeles, CA. (Quadriplegic; riding lay-down specialty surfboard)
- John Davis, Orange County, CA. (Paraplegic; riding wave ski)
- Amy Bronn, San Deigo, CA. (Amputee; riding stand up surfboard)
- Dana Cummings, San Luis Obispo, CA. (Amputee; riding a stand-up surfboard)
- Freddy Carrillo, Laguna Hills, CA. (Paraplegic; riding wave-ski)
- Christian Bailey, Pleasure Point, CA. (Paraplegic; riding lay-down specialty surfboard)
- Ryan Levinson, San Diego, CA. (Muscular Sclerosis; riding stand-up board)
- Rodney Roller, San Luis Obispo, CA. (Amputee; riding stand-up board)
The Western Surfing Association (WSA) is the oldest amateur surfing association in the world. The WSA, established in 1959, is a California non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting and preserving the sport of surfing through fun, family oriented surf competitions.
Read our latest post to learn more about disabled surfing and the adaptions for surfboards.
June 25th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Please inform of future contests, and events for the disabled. I am a T-4 para riding a waveski.