Nova Scotian volunteers helping every body get into the water

Life Rolls On is a program that helps individuals with mobile disabilities surf the ocean waves

CITYnews halifax \ Tyler Dunne

Listen to this article

The adaptive surfing event Life Rolls On will be helping those with mobile disabilities enter the ocean on modified surfboards at Martinuqe Beach this upcoming weekend on Aug. 20. 

The event has over 100 volunteers who will assist in making the beach accessible and with suiting up, entering the ocean and riding waves in a safe and secure environment.

Chrissy Merrigan is a board member with The Nova Scotia Surf-Able association and says the program has been helping people surf since 2014.

“The first thing we notice is the smiles and the laughs,” Merrigan told CityNews.

Merrigan says the event is about breaking down barriers preventing people with mobility issues from enjoying the beach and allowing attendees to get out and enjoy the water.

The volunteer group has previously raised money that funded the construction of a ramp from the second parking lot of Martinique Beach. This year, the group received $17,000 in funding to pay for Mobi-Mats, portable roll-out mats used for creating stable walkways over the sand of the beach.

The volunteer group utilizes modified equipment for various needs, such as beach wheelchairs that can go into the water and altered surf and paddle boards.

Once participants are set up with the right equipment, volunteers and participants head out into the water.

Merrigan says many volunteers come from the healthcare profession, such as occupational therapists, nurses, physiotherapists and medical students. Merrigan also says the surf community comes out in droves to help with the event.

“I can’t even say how wonderful they’ve been,” Merrigan said.

“They’re in the water judging the waves making sure it’s safe for a person to ride that wave, and just making sure everything goes smoothly.”

In 2014, there were about 14 participants in the event, but this year there are over 40, Merrigan said.

“Everyone is having a great time, from the participants to the volunteers; it’s really just a joyful day,” Merrigan finished.