Epilepsy Action, the UK’s largest member-led epilepsy organisation, is hosting Epilepsy on the beach to support children with epilepsy and give them a unique surfing experience. Journalists are also called to join in and have a surfing lesson too.
The event will take place at Goodrington Sands, Torbay, from 10.00am until 6.00pm from 3 to 5 August. It will feature beach activities and games (including volleyball, Frisbee, and tennis). Plus, free surf lessons will be provided by Freedom Surf for people with epilepsy and their families. A big red bus full of information about epilepsy will be parked on the beach. Epilepsy Action is also organising a sandcastle building competition.
There will be three surf lessons a day, each accommodating 10 people. These will be provided by Freedom Surf, a disabled surfing project whose mission is to provide fun and life changing experiences to people with disabilities. All instructors are professional surf instructors, have had specialist training and experience of working with people with disabilities. Mark, from Freedom Surf, has designed specially adapted disabled surf equipment. Surf lessons will need to be booked in advance by contacting Jackie Kemp at Epilepsy Action on 0113 210 8887.
Epilepsy Action would like to thank its Torbay Branch for a generous donation of £10,000 towards this event. A variety of beach activities and games (provided by Active Devon and the Cornwall Sports Partnership) will take place from 10.00am until 5.00pm, with a lunch break between 12.00pm to 2.00pm. The big red information bus will be open from 10.00am until 12.00pm, and from 1.00pm until 5.00pm each day. People can get updates on this event through our live Twitter feed at #Epilepsy Action.
Epilepsy Action’s manager for the south west, Mark McDaid, said: “We wanted people with epilepsy to have the opportunity to do something different! Many people with epilepsy are prevented from swimming or surfing because of strict health and safety guidelines, or a lack of understanding about epilepsy. At this event, they are in a safe and understanding environment, and we want everyone to join in. It’s a fantastic event suitable for all the family.”
Mark, founder of Freedom Surf, said: “We are urging people to sign up for this event and take advantage of this collaboration with Epilepsy Action, Freedom Surf and Active Devon. Freedom Surf was the first disabled surf school in Europe that specialises only in disabled surf tuition and caters for all disabilities. We use specially adapted equipment so come and grab yourself a free surfing lesson.”
Epilepsy Action has an extensive network of branches throughout the UK. Branches hold regular meetings and offer a variety of social events and informative talks and discussions relating to epilepsy.
Epilepsy Action’s Torbay Branch meets on the second Tuesday of the month at Medical Centre, Torbay Hospital, Newton Road, Torbay, from 7.30pm. For more information about the branch, please contact Patrick on 01803 856 735.
For further information about the work of Epilepsy Action, please visit www.epilepsy.org.uk or call the Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050.