REVIEW: The DSA at Blacksmiths Beach, 2014

 Published at: www.culturehunter.org, January 2014

Who: The Disabled Surfers’ Association
What/ Where: The annual surf at Blacksmiths Beach
When: January 16^th

ON JANUARY 16^th a few dozen people gathered out at Black Smiths Beach.  Beneath the blue tent set up on the southern side of the beach scurried about members of the Disabled Surfers’ Association (DSA) from the Hunter Branch. 

Once customary ‘hullos’ had been made and I’d registered for the day, the next port of call was to grab myself a rash shirt of the correct colour. There was yellow, for participants; blue, for volunteers; red for team leaders or green for marshalls. Primary carers had shirts of a sky-blue colour.

Then it was off to the beach in the hope of diving in the water. As I drew closer to the tent which had been set up for the occasion, it was clear that other fellow yellow-shirters were having a grand time. There were expressions of nervous excitement as some were deposited onto carefully handled long-boards. Others showed pure exhilaration when came their turn to race back into shore. One particular chap was so excited after his run that for much of the remaining afternoon he kept whooping with joy, “I won! I won!”

One of the volunteers spoke to me about how great it is to help out at the DSA. “I have three kids and am currently doing as Master’s Degree in Health,” he said. “Being able to set aside one whole day every few months works out for me perfectly, as opposed to needing to commit myself for a few regular afternoons each week.”

After we had all dunked ourselves in the waves we adjourned back up to the BBQ area to a hearty feed of snags and bread rolls. Over lunch Bede, president of the Hunter Branch, advertised the upcoming trivia night. Events like the trivia night, he said, are very important as they help the DSA to raise the much-needed funds to continue operating. “When we are out,” he explained, “we must have a defibrillator ready for use. Each of these costs two thousand dollars…”- money the DSA can’t easily spend. 

The DSA itself has developed quite noticeably since its humble beginnings in 1986. Previously a surfer, President Gary Blashke was disappointed when told he would never surf again.  With a few mates he formed the DSA, and in the years since it has “grown enormously”, currently boasting 14 branches in 5 states as well as six over in New Zealand. There is talk of efforts over in Perth too, so it seems likely that the western side will soon have its own DSA also.

Most pressing at the moment is the upcoming Trivia Night at Souths Leagues Club. If this interests you or someone you know, or perhaps if there is an item in your possession that would be a great auction piece, please check out the attached flyer and contact Ben on 0402-294-534.