The annual Summer Surf Challenge for 2018 will be taking place on the 7th and 8th of July this year at Watergate Bay.

The Surf Challenge takes place in Cornwall and offers disabled people of all ages the opportunity to try surfing free of charge. This year will mark its third year at Watergate Bay since it’s move from Fistral Beach.

The Summer Surf Challenge brings together the whole surfing community who volunteer their time to help run free taster sessions for people with disabilities.

Pro surfers and former champions, including Hannah Harding and Tom Butler have attended previous events.

Attendees are supported by hundreds of volunteers from all over the country who come to help others enjoy the benefits of surfing. The event is also supported by Watergate Bay’s Extreme Academy, and Surfing England. City-based insurance firm Amlin contribute to the funding of the event each summer as the title sponsor for the event.

Wave Project CEO Joe Taylor said: “The Summer Surf Challenge is a hugely popular event that is all about inclusiveness and trying something new. It is an opportunity for disabled people to try surfing without any barriers. But it is also a chance for surfers and the local community to volunteer their time to help others.

“The atmosphere down on the beach is always emotional, when people, who may not have previously felt able to try surfing, get in the water and find it is something they can do and enjoy – it pulls on the heartstrings. It’s such a wonderful weekend to be part of.”

“Our funding from Amlin ensures that our costs for the event are covered and that the project can take place every year, something for which we are hugely grateful.”

This year the Summer Surf Challenge is on the lookout for volunteers wanting to help out at the event, both in the water and on the land. No need to have any surfing skills, just a friendly disposition and a lot of enthusiasm.

Nick Rees, Operations manager for Surfing England, who are our media partner for the Summer Surf Challenge, said: “Adaptive surfing is a shared passion between The Wave Project and Surfing England and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of this valuable event, we’re really looking forward to being a part of the weekend and can’t wait to see lots of people down on the beach.”

To register to take part in the event or to sign up as a volunteer just head over to www.waveproject.co.uk/event/summer-surf-challenge