Blue shirts turn out in waves

MORE than 250 volunteers helped put smiles on dials at the Disabled Surfing Association Ocean Grove’s second meet for 2025.

Last Sunday’s event saw 70 surfers with varying disabilities take to the waves with the assistance of the “blue shirts.”

The army of blue shirted volunteers helped surfers with activities in the water, handed out food and water and manned the check in stations.

DSA national secretary Phil Christie said volunteer numbers were fantastic despite the weather.

“It was amazing. The blue shirts came with a rush. We had about 220 in the water, and another 30 on land.

“The weather was pretty crappy. It was pouring rain. But a lot of them [volunteers] hung around and stayed until the end.

“The only annoying thing was packing everything up, and then the sun coming out!”

The Disabled Surfing Association will be welcomed back to the beach at Ocean Grove on the first Sunday in February and March 2026.

“We’ve gone back to basics I feel in how we try and put less stress on our volunteers,” Mr Christie said.

“We have fun. We throw the stress away. It’s worked; everyone has had a blast.

“A huge thanks to Barwon Coast, the Rotary Club of Ocean Grove and all our volunteers.

“We can’t to be back bigger and better next year.”