Surfability UK: Making Waves in Adaptive Surfing and Inclusion

Nestled in the scenic Caswell Bay on Gower, Surfability UK is not your ordinary surf school. It’s a place where the ocean meets accessibility, and everyone, regardless of ability, is invited to experience the joy of surfing. Surfability UK has carved out a unique space in the world of adaptive sports, providing life-changing surfing experiences to people with disabilities, illnesses, injuries, or learning difficulties.

A Vision of Inclusive Surfing

Surfability UK CIC was born out of a simple yet powerful vision: to make surfing accessible to everyone. In the summer of 2013, founder and director Ben Clifford started Wales’ first adaptive and inclusive surf school, with the mission of breaking down the barriers that prevent people from enjoying the ocean’s wave.

Committed to inclusivity, Surfability UK combines the best practices from special education, healthcare, surfing, and lifeguarding to create a safe, supportive, and enjoyable environment for all its surfers.

During an interview with The Prince’s Trust, Ben says:

“We’re a Community Interest Company (CIC) who provide adaptive surfing lessons for anyone who has any additional needs so that could be due to an illness an injury, a disability, a learning difficulty.”

Ben adds:

“My mum tells me I was four years old, and we were on a beach, and I was watching the surfers, and I told her I was going to be a surfer when I grew up. I got my first student loan, and I spent it on a surfboard, it was one of those life-changing moments that you don’t know is going to be a life-changing moment.”

Pioneering Adaptive Surfing

At the heart of Surfability UK’s success is its innovative approach to adaptive surfing. The team has developed groundbreaking equipment designed to meet the diverse needs of their surfers. A standout achievement is the creation of the UK’s first seated tandem surfboard, which allows individuals who cannot sit up unaided to experience the thrill of surfing. This specialist equipment ensures that anyone, regardless of their physical capabilities, can feel the exhilaration of catching a wave.

But it’s not just about the equipment. Surfability UK’s dedicated team provides tailored support to each surfer, whether they need a little help or a lot. The focus is always on ensuring that everyone, from beginner surfers to those with significant support needs, can enjoy a fun and fulfilling experience in the water.

In his interview with the Prince’s Trust, Ben says,

“We have all kinds of different people coming. We teach people who have other learning difficulties, we teach wheelchair users, we teach people with cerebral palsy, down-syndrome, visually impaired people and hearing-impaired people.”

From Humble Beginnings to Global Recognition

What began as a small surf school operating out of a car has grown into a world-leading adaptive surf school with purpose-built facilities. Surfability UK now boasts accessible changing rooms, extensive kit storage, and drying facilities to accommodate their ever-growing range of adaptive surfing equipment. This growth reflects not only the increasing demand for inclusive surfing experiences but also Surfability UK’s status as a leader in the global adaptive surfing community.

Surfability UK’s influence extends far beyond the shores of Caswell Bay. The school’s coaches, Ben Clifford and Toby Williams, have managed the Welsh Adaptive Surfing Team, representing their country in international competitions such as the World Adaptive Surfing Championships in California. Additionally, Ben Clifford has co-authored the International Surfing Association Adaptive Surf Instructor Qualification, helping to set global standards for adaptive surf instruction.

The Ways to Surf are Ocean Wide

For Surfability UK, surfing is more than just a sport—it is a source of joy, empowerment, and freedom. The school offers a range of surfing styles, each tailored to the unique needs of its surfers, ensuring that everyone can ride the waves in a way that suits them best. Surfing styles include:

• Single Board Surfing: Ideal for surfers who can use a board independently, with varying levels of support from the team.
• Tandem Surfing: Perfect for those who need assistance with balance or following instructions, offering constant one-to-one support.
• Seated Tandem Surfing: Designed for surfers who find sitting, kneeling, or lying unsupported challenging, with a four-to-one support ratio.
• Prone Surfing: For those who cannot stand or kneel on a board but still wish to surf as independently as possible, with specially adapted boards and support from two team members.

Looking to the Future

As Surfability UK continues to grow, their commitment to making the ocean accessible to everyone remains unwavering.

With a team that’s as passionate about surfing as it is about inclusivity, the future looks bright for adaptive surfing. Surfability UK is more than just a surf school—it’s a community where everyone is welcomed, supported, and, most importantly, has fun.

Talking with the Prince’s Trust, Ben shared:

“I have a student who’s visually impaired, I remember when she caught her first wave independently and that will always stay with me. She went out into the water and went ‘just listen for the wave, listen for the wave’, and pushed off at the right time and caught the wave and rode it all the way in. I was just like ‘so beautiful’.”

He continues:

“Adaptive surfing is really growing, it’s a really exciting place to be and I’m really stoked to be here and central to it. It’s really exciting.”

Whether it’s riding the perfect wave or simply enjoying the feeling of the sea breeze, Surfability UK ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can experience the magic of surfing.

If you are interested in surfing or would like to support the charity by donating or volunteering, visit Surfability UK’s website, where you can also read more about their story.