Caswell Bay, Wales is not only the proud home of Surfability UK CIC, the UK’s first fully inclusive and adaptive surf school, it is soon to the first Gower beach to have a disability changing place. And the team here at Surfability UK CIC HQ could not be more delighted about this news.
The changing place will be located in close proximity to the current toilet facilities and the blue badge parking spaces. Specialist equipment such as an electric hoist, shower, toilet and changing bed will be available to ensure that individuals with even the most severe disabilities will be able to access the beach and all it has to offer with dignity and privacy.
Local business woman and parent, Suzanne Morrison, who runs the award winning Bramwood Accessible Holiday Home on Gower has been a driving force behind this project. Suzanne has a son with quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy and has said: “John requires 24/7 care, we therefore know what it takes to book a holiday without equipment and care. He is the inspiration behind this project.
“It is wonderful news for all the disabled people who need these facilities. We are so privileged to have the people with the expertise to give my son and others a wonderful experience. I am passionate about Gower and Swansea and about promoting what we have here and I am grateful to everyone from Swansea Council for their support through this process.”
With support from the Welsh Government’s Tourism Amenity Investment Scheme (TAIS), construction is expected in 2019. The Swansea Council expect that the changing facility will offer increased choice to around 250,000 disabled visitors looking for holiday destinations in the UK (read more here).
Feeling ready to catch your first wave or relive the stoke of your last? Surfability UK CIC surf all year round with disabled surfers of every skill level. There’s never been a better time to get in touch!