Event brings together more than 100 people with disabilities to surf for the 1st time

Praia Grande (São Paulo coast) served this Thursday (2) as a setting for 132 people with disabilities to have their first contact with water sports, such as surfing, standup paddle and kayaking, with the assistance of professionals. Despite not being a championship, all received medals for participation, according to organizers.

This Friday (3), the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated. In addition to volunteers, institutions such as Apae da Praia Grande, Sonhando Sobre as Ondas and the NGO Adopt a Citizen came together to hold the Efficient Surf event, with the aim of providing moments of inclusion for those assisted in different social projects.

Adriano Pereira, 35, came from São Bernardo do Campo, in Greater São Paulo, to enter the sea with the amphibious chair, something that, according to him, was pure fun.

“The idea is to develop autonomy and for them to be part of all spaces, overcoming bodily limits. In fact, the limitations are ours. They threw themselves into the water without fear”, says Patrícia Caetano Borelli, coordinator of the Praia Grande Inclusive Residence, space that provides support for young people like Alan Roger Torres, 19, who has intellectual disabilities. “I caught three waves, I want to go again. I want my medal,” he says.

The joy also infected volunteers and family members present. “Seeing my nephew happy in this way is priceless. They have the same desires and the same right to participate in everything that so-called ‘normal’ people participate. Therefore, actions like this are essential and we, as a family, embrace the cause “, says Shirlei Aparecida Rodio, aunt of Felipe Penarbel, 24, a young man with Down syndrome who surfed for the first time during the event.

“I just thank God that there are people who think about us and provide us with moments like these. The feeling of freedom I felt when I was on the board and being able to feel the wind on my face is sensational”, says Júlia Dias Anjos, 19, Mauá, in Greater São Paulo, which has low vision.

“To develop this project, I talk to surf schools in each city. The idea is to show the entrepreneur that they can help”, says Antonio Carlos de Veiga, from the NGO Adopt a Citizen and the project’s creator.

“It’s exciting to see the excitement of all of them. Not only today, but every other day they should feel included. Institutions and families fight for this, but we also need consistent actions from the public authorities”, says Sílvio Ursini, superintendent from Apae to Praia Grande.