Smiles all round at Ocean Grove surf day

TEARS  of joy flowed at Ocean Grove Beach on Sunday as more than 70 surfers hit the water for the first Disabled Surfing Association Ocean Grove event of 2026.

In clean, gentle conditions, participants of all ages were assisted onto boards by more than 200 volunteers.

Among the most poignant moments was a local grandmother entering the ocean for the first time in decades. Her family said it might be the last time they ever get to take her to the beach.

Disabled Surfing Association (DSA) national secretary, Phil Christie, said the day captured exactly why the organisation exists.

“What we do here at DSA is just so worthwhile and we get the most joy out of seeing everyone frothing in the water,” he said. “The volunteers get as much out of it as the people getting waves.

“To see everyone getting a pump up was just terrific.”

The Ocean Grove program is expected to return in February and March next year.