Cape Town - Roxy Davis Foundation is set to host the Inclusive Beach Day and Surf Therapy Clinic on December 7th in celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities and International Volunteer Day on Saturday.
The event, which takes place on December 7 2024, aims to make the beach experience accessible for everyone and promotes surf therapy to boost mental and physical well-being.
It will be held at Surfers Corner, Muizenberg beach between 9am and 3pm.
Roxy Davis, founder of the Roxy Davis Foundation said the day was to highlight the importance of allowing people with disabilities to be included in society.
“Every year we host an event which celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and this year International Volunteer Day falls in the same week so our celebration this year is to highlight both days in one event,” she said.
“Last year we hosted an unofficial world record of the most number of para surfers riding one wave and this year we are hosting a beach day and surf therapy which celebrates inclusion and universal access.
Roxy Davis, the founder of the Roxy Davis Surfing foundation recently completed her PhD in Health and Rehabilitation at the University of Cape Town which focused on research into surf therapy for children with disabilities.
Davis’ journey began in 2019 when she planned to do a Master’s thesis on the impact and outcome of surf therapy for children with disabilities which was later changed to a PhD.
Roxy Davis is a nine-time South African World champion surfer.
Davis graduated in September and her research delved into a global perspective on surf therapy for children with disabilities and will now be the benchmark and guideline for anyone wanting to follow in her footsteps by opening up a surf therapy foundation or academy.
Her research has already influenced policy development based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in South Africa according to UCT.
Davis now hopes her research will navigate the need for disabled persons to be inclusive of beach spaces.
Highlights of the day include beach activities and games, sun-smart activation, which is a partnership with Ocean Freedom to educate on sun care and skin health, Shark Spotters Education Programme which is insightful sessions with local experts on marine safety and shark conservation, Ocean Pledge Beach Clean-Up, an initiative to protect our coastlines and inspire environmental responsibility and Surf Therapy Sessions which is a therapeutic experience led by trained surf coaches, allowing participants to experience the mental health benefits of surfing and the ocean.
Diony Lalieu, founder of Ocean Pledge who is one of the sponsors and participants, said the ocean united everyone from all walks of life and she was proud to be part of it.
“Apart from Roxy and I knowing each other from the surf and our love for the ocean (it is the ocean that always brings the best of people together) the one thing we have in common is creating ocean access for all,” said Lalieu.
“The Ocean is a place of beauty, serenity and is supposedly a leveller for all people regardless of race, age, economic circumstances, religion or creed (the ocean does not judge).
“Despite this, not everyone has had equal access to it, be this for physical reasons or socio-political reasons.
“Over the years, as a founder of Ocean Pledge, this disparity has become obvious in the form of an emotional disconnection due to historical reasons.
“If we are to protect the ocean and conserve it, which is so clearly needed in this day and age, then this starts with creating an emotional affinity which can only happen through equal access for all. After all, you are most likely to protect that which you love.
“Apart from creating opportunities which foster an emotional connection with the ocean, we also believe strongly in the need to raise education and awareness. But education and awareness alone is not enough to shift the dial..”
Ocean pledge is a registered NPO that focuses on the critical gap between awareness and action when it comes to healthier oceans.
For more information or to get involved, please visit www.roxydavisfoundation.org or contact us at [email protected]
Register as a participant or a volunteer here: https://roxydavisfoundation.org/event/7-december-2024/