Organisations in the Taranaki region are joining forces to give disabled rangatahi a chance to get active through surfing.

When it comes to surfing, Taranaki teenager Ty Condon takes any opportunity he can to get in the water. 

The 16-year-old’s passion was ignited five years ago at a Taranaki surf day designed to give disabled rangatahi a chance to get active through surfing at Ōakura Beach. 

“I came home so excited after my first event and have done them ever since. I love the fact that I am safe and have help, and since doing these sessions I have found I love surfing and try and join any free events I can,” says Ty, who has eye conditions oculocutaneous albinism and nystagmus which cause visual issues. 

The Halberg Foundation and Oakura Boardriders have run the event since 2013, with Parafed Taranaki jumping on board in 2017.  

All three share responsibilities and pool resources to provide disabled rangatahi like Ty access to surfing through beach wheelchairs, mats and adaptive surfboards and more opportunities to participate in water-based sports. Sport NZ’s 2023 Active NZ research shows disabled rangatahi go swimming, surfing and boogie boarding less often than their non-disabled peers, and this kind of support goes a long way towards removing barriers and boosting participation.  

“Collaboration is so important. Each event partner brings their skills, connections, expertise to the group and we all play our part,” says Halberg’s lead adviser John Sigurdsson.  

“We get to witness the connections that families make with the boardriders club, the volunteers and with each other, extending the surfing community and making the beach seem much more accessible.” 

The latest event in March saw Oakura Boardriders’ volunteers give up to 20 disabled rangatahi the chance to have fun, be active and develop their skills through adaptive surfing. This year the event was bolstered by Parafed Manawatū, who supported an additional 10 young people from the inland community to attend the beach event.  

For Ty, it’s an experience that has encouraged him to participate in other events, including Surfing for Life through school and surfing sessions for rainbow young people. 

“I came home so excited after my first event and have done them ever since. I love the fact that I am safe and have help, and since doing these sessions I have found I love surfing and try and join any free events I can,” says Ty. 

“Ty had never been into team sports, but he’s found a love for water and surfing. He feels a lot more confident in the water, and now puts his hand up whenever the opportunity arises,” says his Mum Nicole.   

“Ty wouldn’t have found a love for surfing without the funding, as cost and travel are a huge barrier for our family,” says Nicole.   

“Having smaller groups also helps Ty as he also gets overwhelmed easily and doesn’t join in too often when there is a large number of people.” 

Ty Condon surfing at Oakura Beach.

John has organised the popular event since its inception and says it’s important for young people like Ty to experience surfing in a fun, safe and supported environment. 

“This year we experienced our biggest numbers yet, and every year we are excited to see so many moments of joy from participants experiencing something which might have felt too hard prior.” 

Oakura Boardriders secretary Brendon Hart says the event is a highlight on the club’s calendar. 

“Seeing the kids and their families smile, laugh and enjoy something we sometimes take for granted is an amazing feeling for our volunteers.  

“Being able to share something special like surfing with families that have a number of daily challenges, or even being able to enjoy something simple as a day at the beach, is very humbling and rewarding.” 

“It’s so important for organisations to share resources and skillsets like this to get better outcomes for our kids.” 

Sport NZ invests into national disability organisations like the Halberg Foundation and regional disability organisations like Parafed Taranaki and Parafed Manawatū to ensure quality and equitable opportunities for disabled tamariki and rangatahi to be active nationwide.