George inspires charity to help others hit the surf in Devon

A South West charity is thinking of ways it can make surfing accessible to more disabled people – after being inspired by a Devon boy who was desperate to hit the surf.

The Wave Project’s work was inspired by 10-year-old George Palmer, now 17, who wanted to join other youngsters he saw out surfing at Croyde, in north Devon.

Ian Bennett, the adaptive lead at the charity, said: “We just really want the sea to be accessible to anybody. And if we can make that happen, then that’s brilliant.”

Ideas from its team of volunteers include putting visual markers on boards to help surfers position themselves, and adding more handles to boards.

Mr Bennett said The Wave Project, which runs surf therapy sessions for children and young people in Devon and Cornwall, did not offer adaptive surfing before it was contacted by George’s mum Nicki to ask if staff could help him achieve his dream.

“I told her, ‘actually, we don’t do that, we are a mental health charity but I’m happy to give it a go’,” he said.

A couple of days before they were due to go out, Mr Bennett asked about George’s disabilities and discovered he had quadriplegic cerebral palsy, developmental delay, and epilepsy.

“I probably didn’t sleep for the next two nights,” he said.

Mr Bennett asked Surfing England for advice when he realised there was no-one offering adaptive surfing.

The same year he took on another client, who had been a surfer before becoming disabled later in life. Since then he said demand has grown.

He added that now more than 150 adaptive surfers enjoy the waves at Croyde each year.

The wave project also now has an army of volunteers and an selection of boards for adaptive surfers.

Facilities at Croyde beach have also been developed to include a dedicated accessible changing place by the beach.

Among the surfers is George, who has become a regular at Croyde beach, surfing at least once a month even in winter.

Mr Bennett was the 2024 winner of the BBC South West Unsung Hero award for his work to develop adaptive surfing.