The SA-DSA was formed like most others around Australia by the National Body in particular Gary Blaschke who came to South Australia in December, 2004 with a vision and purpose to ensure S. A. could and would offer those persons with an intellectual or physical disability a day at the beach and try catching a wave.
Thus the SA-DSA Branch was formed and in February, 2005 held its inaugural ‘Have a go day’ or now as it called ‘Have a Surf day’. The branch has been holding 3 event days each and every year since 2005, and generally they are held in early December then February and in March.
The SA-DSA Branch operates out of the Moana Surf Life Saving Club situated approximately 40 minutes from the CBD or Adelaideairport on the southern coast in the suburb of Moana. The surf club have been a tremendous support and base for each and every event.
The branch has a small dedicated and professional committee and since 2005 have regularly increased the number of trained volunteers and more importantly continues to increase the number of participants, ‘having a go at surfing’ with their respective disability.
The SA-DSA branch is a totally voluntary organisation, existing purely on the enormous good will and time of its volunteers, small donations either in kind or monetary from local businesses to ensure each and every event provides an opportunity for people with a disability to try catching a wave and for their families and/or carers some much needed respite.