Grapevine News Online Smiles On Dials

Smiles on dials

Central Coast Disabled Surfers Association (DSACC) will hold a 'Smiles on Dials' event at Umina Beach on Saturday, December 6th to celebrate International Day of People with Disability. However, they need large numbers of volunteers to make our surfing experience safe and enjoyable.

5 November 2025

INDIVIDUALS who are interested in volunteering at the 'Smiles on Dials' event can registered online via Humanitix prior to the event so that the organisers know how many surfers they can accept. Volunteers, however, will also be accepted on the day.

You can also register to volunteer via Facebook.

Volunteers do not need to know how to surf although water skills are highly valued. A water refill station and a rash shirt will be provided for the day, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own wetsuits. A sausage sizzle will complete the festivities.

Volunteering at a ‘Smiles on Dials’ event consists of helping participants to and from the beach, assisting them in and out of the water and helping set up and clean up. Food is provided and smiles are always encouraged!

About Disabled Surfers Association:

DSACC is a volunteer-run organisation that enables people of all ages and abilities to take part in one of Australia’s most popular past-times, beach surfing! DSA volunteers serve to provide a unique, safe, and happy surfing experience to a wide range of people with various disabilities who would otherwise be unable to access the beach. In order to ensure safety, DSA has a very high volunteer to participant ratio, with a minimum of 6 to 1 up to as high as 30 to 1 for more challenging participants. We only surf in broken waves, in waist depth water. Volunteers help participants enjoy the experience that abled bodied people often take for granted.

The DSA was established in 1986 and currently has 19 branches across Australia and New Zealand. The association sets world’s best practice for the sport of Disabled Surfing. The DSA creates opportunities for everyone, including disabled participants and able-bodied volunteers, to experience unique, safe, and happy surfing events, whilst under complete supervision from our trained Team Leaders and Beach Marshalls. DSA training programs are award winning for Outstanding Achievement in implementing Safe Sport Practices and Minister’s awards for Most Significant Contribution to Water Safety by an Organisation.

For more information on DSA, visit here.

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