Bluetooth surfboard helps Beau catch a wave, but beach access can still be an issue

A radical new way of surfing has hit the sands of Phillip Island, an hour-and-a-half south-east of Melbourne.

After an accident on the football field eight years ago left Beau Vernon paralysed from the chest down, he had to find a new way of getting out on the waves.

“I’ve got a watch that’s connected by Bluetooth to a motor under the surfboard and there are a couple of propellers under there. I lay on my stomach and elbows and hit the watch with my teeth,” Mr Vernon said.

He calls it “adaptive surfing” and it has helped him return to a hobby he loves.

“It’s amazing what you can do with technology in this day and age, and with the help of some friends with innovative minds,” he said.

Mr Vernon said while the first few times surfing were shaky, he had slowly rebuilt his confidence.

“I definitely worry about falling off, but I’ve got this life vest and feel pretty comfy in the water now,” he said.

Accessing the outdoors

But for Mr Vernon, it can be difficult to even get to the water.

“A lot of beaches are a challenge, there’s only one beach where I can get down to the water,” he said.

He stressed that when a space is inaccessible to wheelchair users, it’s often inaccessible to other groups.

“There’s so many beautiful walks in our area which aren’t accessible for people in wheelchairs, but they’re also not accessible for parents with prams or the elderly,” he said.

Health and community activation manager from Parks Victoria Shauna Jones from said work was being done to make national parks more accessible.

“Wilsons Prom and Tidal River is one of the jewels in our crown of accessibility,” she said.

“When Norman Beach is at low tide, we’ve got a number of different types of wheelchairs that all ages and sizes can get down and enjoy the beach,” she said.

Ms Jones said the bushfires that ravaged East Gippsland last summer also had hidden consequences for accessibility.

“At Buchan caves we had a chair that allowed people access into the caves itself, so it was a narrower chair,” she said.

“Unfortunately we lost that chair in the fires, and it’s under review post-recovery.”

ABC News Disability Direct