Looking for a specific group of people

[89jsnakehouse]

Hello everyone i am new to this forum. I have a disability, I had a stroke when i was three years old and cannot use my right arm at all and my right leg does not have as much muscle as the left. so I am looking for others who have disabalities or people who know others who are disabled that surf. I never been out on a surfboard before and really want to give it a shot!! I think that i can do it but with only using one arm and my balance not being 100% what you guys think? I am not looking to become a pro just something new to do when i go down to the beach. I was recomended a 9' soft board to start out with, what do you all think?

Thanks Guys,
Jeff

[tony g]

I would suggest a 10' longboard that is fairly wide for added stability and to help make your first experience more fun. When we give 1st timers lessons almost all do much better on 10' longboards vs the 9' longboards. Go to a beginner friendly spot with slow gentle peeling waves. I would also suggest surfing lessons, or have an experienced surfer or two to help you out. Good luck! Also check out Bethany Hamilton a competitive surfer who lost her arm to a tiger shark in Kauai, yet is still ripping. http://bethanyhamilton.com/

[89jsnakehouse]

ok great thanks, I heard about Bethany before on shark week! taking lessons is a good idea also. what do you think about soft boards? oh and by the way i am about 5'6", 135lbs.

Thanks!
Jeff

[tony g]

They are safer, but if you use one try to get one that is stiff. Some soft boards we have found do not work very well. We also use the Bics, or NSPs for our rental boards they are hard, and more dangerous, but do work well for lessons with proper education. We do also try to keep a few soft boards around for those who feel more comfortable with them. I have a Sunset Soft Board in our rental that works fairly well and is stiff. I would say if you go soft try to get a higher quality soft board.

[89jsnakehouse]

so you said "sunest" soft board is that the manufacture? Also do you know of any other soft board brands that are hard? and me being a shorter person do you still think a 10' board would be best?

Thank you so much.
Jeff

[tony g]

Sunset boards are manufactured by Global Surf Industries. Check out Softops also by Surftech. Try to stay away from the real flexy type softboards. Yes I still think a 10' board would be the easiest to learn on. You can go shorter and still make it happen, but I was looking at what would be easiest and most fun.

[89jsnakehouse]

No i would like for it to be easier and more fun for sure!! So 10' is what i think im going to go with. Thank you for the help, i appriciate it!

Jeff

[tony g]

Glad I could help. I hope you have a blast surfing. Their is no sport like it. Let me know how it goes.

[jaffa1949]

Glad I could help. I hope you have a blast surfing. Their is no sport like it. Let me know how it goes.

I applaud you also a soft board might be more able to have a handle mounted that may help with standing up.
You might also look at kneeboards and or boogieboards any option for surfing is great if you get out there safely.

This is an organisation in Australia
http://www.disabledsurfers.org/ it s not so much around what you are asking but there might be some answers there, if you have a good buddy who surfs or wants to learn to surf then tag team work will give you so much.
Keep us posted love to see the rewards you are going to get!

[billie_morini]

Jeff,
you may be encouraged by Jesse Billauer and his non-profit organization based in California called Life Rolls On. Jesse was a promising young professional surfer who is now paralyzed due a spinal cord injury. Jesse and Life Rolls On inspires others to see the possibilities beyond paralysis. The signature adaptive surfing program, They Will Surf Again, is the organization's most well-known effort. Jesse is a sweet and bright young man and we all love to see him at surfing events, surf movie nights, and whatever. There is some fabulous movie footage of Jesse surfing in prone position. His surfer buddies push him off into the waves. While the film shows him surfing, a story is told about how he fell off one time and his buddies thought they drowned him!

Here is the link and you might even think about taking on one of the organizations surfing events:
http://www.liferollson.org/site/c.9rJLK ... out_Us.htm

billie

[89jsnakehouse]

Hey guys thanks for the links!! I will definently have to check them out. and the handle on the board is a great idea. Thanks again!

Jeff