Para Surfing Training for Instructors and Volunteers Led by Coach Ariel Gutierrez

     Coach Ariel Guttierez of Costa Rica’s Sports Association of Adaptive Surfing led a Zoom session as part 1 of a two-part training “Work with People with Disabilities in the Surf.”  The training is aimed not only at surf instructors but also volunteers who have experience with the sport of surfing. Sixteen participants attended the theoretical session. The practice session will happen tomorrow, October 5th, at Calle Mora in Playa Jaco through the present.

History of Costa Rica’s Adaptive Surf Team

Gutierrez began with the history of Costa Rica’s Adaptive Surf Team. It all started in 2015 when Ismael Araya, the first Costa Rican para-surfer hailing from the Caribbean side, and his coach Gustavo Corrales participated in the 2015 ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship. 

Each year the National Team has not missed any World Para Surfing Championship, with the number of surfers increasing every year. The results have been outstanding, with some surfers capturing the gold in their respective categories or winning medals. At the 2021 Games held in Pismo Beach, California, the Team brought home the 4th place Copper Medal for Costa Rica. 

Below are the top individual and team accomplishments from 2015 through 2021, which can also be found on Costa Rica’s Adaptive Surf Team website. 

NATIONAL PARA-SURFING TEAM RESULTS BY YEAR:

2015: #19 Ismael Araya, Kneel

2016: #4 Mathews Vanderhoogth, Prone Assist; 8th place overall Teams

2018: #11 overall Teams 

2020: #2 Roy Calderón, Vision 2, #3 Jimena Ruiz, Stand 2 #3 Henry Martínez, Vision 1

and #9 overall Teams 

2021: #1 Roy Calderón, #1 Jimena Ruiz, #2 Miniska Solís, #3 Dariel Meléndez, Stand #3 Juan Manuel Camacho, Waveski  #4 Baldir Vallejos and 4th Place overall Teams 

Henry Martinez Reflects on the Word Disabled

After giving the history of the Adaptive Surf Team, Henry Martinez took the mic. Henry surfs in the Vision I category for the Adaptive Surf Team. He made headlines in 2020 together with his coach, Maikel Venegas,  when he won the division at the World Para Surfing Championships held that year in La Jolla, California right before borders closed due to the pandemic. 

Henry reflected on how people say “special disabilities,” instead of just saying the disability.  The people you are referring to would prefer it that way. For example, Henry is a “blind surfer.” Simple, right? Just say whatever the disability is whether it be physical, sensory, psychosocial or cognitive. The condition of a disability is actually created by specific environments. The disability isn’t the problem, it’s the atmosphere that surrounds the person at any given moment that causes barriers. Bottom line is most people have a disability of one form or another; the conditions in which we find ourselves brings it out. I may have a psychosocial disability which is influenced by the social environment I find myself in, but you won’t hear people refer to that as a disability. What’s in a word? It makes sense to respect everyone and use the terminology that is most appropriate and preferred by the people you are talking about and to. 

Adapting to the Conditions Not the Person

Gutierrez explained that Costa Rica’s Adaptive Surf Association adapts to the conditions, classifications and the team as a whole instead of the individual. The focus is on preparing, training and developing the athletes according to their individual goal. The Association aims at inclusion, integral development and empowerment for people with disabilities in the sport of surfing. The instructor relies on a therapeutic and motivational approach for both recreational and competitive adaptive surfing to prepare Parasurfers. 

The Role of Coaches and Volunteers

Next, Coach Gutierrez identified the roles of both coaches and volunteers for Parasurfing. The volunteer is a human tool to support the adaptive surfer on the beach and in the water, which could involve a simple carry or a transfer from chair to board and vice versa. The instructor or coach acts as an expert who guides the surfer securely and in a way that is both light hearted and supportive. Ariel then presented a list of sixteen qualities that are ideal for anyone with a heart and drive to be a Parasurfer instructor.  Some of these include respectful, active listener, communicative, patient, ethical, responsible, punctual and being a team player. I would add “humble” to the list, but it is probably a given as every Costa Rican I have met through Adaptive Surfing already has that quality.

Managing Risks

Both instructors and volunteers need to know the person and the disability. Analize the zone you are going to be working in and identify the risks. Think about all the possible accidents that can occur and make a list of them. Write a protocol of how to proceed if any of them should occur. Finally, give a safety talk. Make sure to take into consideration all the weather factors so you can have a secure zone. Look at the surf and weather forecasts and in the case of any storms suspend the event. Be up to date on first aid certification and know the technicalities of water rescue. Supervise the activities closely. 

The Best Adaptive Surf Team

The best adaptive surf team is one that can modify and adapt according to the person with the disability. This takes communication, insight and observation. For a beginner surfer, the instructor or volunteer may need to go with the person on the board; make sure to choose the correct board of the right length, area and volume. You should have previously spoken with the surfer and whoever may be in charge of or accompanying that surfer. 

Adaptive Surf Equipment and Technique

During the remainder of the one-hour theoretical session, Gutierrez presented slides of Amphibious-chairs, an Adaptive SUP board and a SUP Board with a wheelchair. He explained how to do a simple or double carry as well as two different kinds of transfer: transfer from one surface to another only or transferring to another place. It’s important to be warmed up before any type of carry will occur. 

Practice Session at Playa Jaco

The second part of the Training will take place Thursday, October 5th at Calle Mora in Playa Jaco at 8 a.m. Participants will have the awesome opportunity to put everything into practice taught during the theoretical session. It will be a fun time of learning and bonding among both instructors, volunteers and surfers. I guarantee it.  That’s Pura Vida. 

If you want to learn more about Costa Rica’s Adaptive Surf Team and Association of Adaptive Surfing, check out their website or contact Natalia Vindas at contacto@surfadaptadocr.org.

Volunteers and donations are always welcome, and you always get back so much more than you give.