Hey, I am Chicken, one of the NOMB Changes co-founders and a strong believer that surfing is possible for everyone to enjoy.

Waves of Inclusion II was an event I loved and we won’t forget in a while. The beaming faces of the participants, spectators and helpers revealed the enthusiasm that this special day brought with it.

The idea of the day was on enabling people with physical and/or mental disabilities to enjoy wakesurfing – para surfing in one of the most spectacular settings in Switzerland, Lake Lucerne. Having already visited the standing wave earlier this year, this time we were off to the open water.

Aloha, I am Angie, one of the NOMB Changes founders and truly believe in the positive impact of surfing.

At the LPA Surf City No Limits 2024 (a para surf competition in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands), I have recently seen it again with my own eyes. More than 40 para surfers from all over Europe competed against each other in 9 different categories.

Having trained with him for the past years, I have supported majorero para surfer Christopher Fernandéz during the competition, both in and outside the water. And the Cris’s stoke was hard to beat. For those of you who are not familiar with competitive para surfing, here a bit of info.

Categories of para surfing

Defined by the ISA (International Surfing Association) there are 9 different categories for para surf competitions:

1. Stand 1: Any surfer who rides a wave in a standing position with an upper limb amputation or congenital or impairment equivalent or short stature.
2. Stand 2: Any surfer who rides a wave in a standing position with a below the knee amputation or congenital or impairment equivalent, or leg length difference.
3. Stand 3: Any surfer who rides a wave in a standing position with an above the knee amputation or both lower extremity amputations or congenital or impairment equivalent.
4. Kneel: Any surfer who rides a wave in a kneeling or sitting without paddle position with an above the knee amputation or both lower limb amputations or congenital or impairment equivalent.
5. Sit: Any surfer who rides the wave in a sitting position that does NOT require assistance paddling into a wave and getting back on the board safely.
6. Prone 1: Any surfer who rides the wave in a prone position that does NOT require assistance paddling into a wave and getting back on the board safely.
7. Prone 2: Any surfer who rides the wave in a prone position that DOES require assistance in the water, paddling into a wave, and getting back on the board safely.
8. Vision Impairment 1: Any surfer who rides a wave in a standing position with IBSA classification Level B1.
9. Vision Impairment 2: Any surfer who rides a wave in a standing position with IBSA classification Level B2 and Level B3.

The list itselfs blows my mind. I mean, imagine paddling out without eyesight or being paralized. Or, like in Christopher’s case, getting onto the board with limited use of one side of your body. Incredible!

Cris competed in two heats, both with very tough competition. On the second day the ocean conditions were quite demanding, leaving Cris closer to the beach as the paddle out was very challenging. The placed 3rd in his second heat and therefore had to leave the competition but we were still very content with his performance. 

Much more work than it seems

Not everyone is made for a competitive environment. You have to deliver in a given timeframe, independent from your physical and mental state and all outside influences. It requires hard training to prepare for those kind of situations. Simulation of heats, surfing under pressure and in ‘out of comfortzone’ conditions are only a few tools we used to prepare Cris for this para surf competition.

On top of the actual surfing, Cris regularly joins swim classes and is treated by physiotherapist Anne. Anne focuses on improving the mobility and flexibility of Cris right side of the body, paying special attention to his right arm.

Cris mom Loli also is an essential part of Cris training. She is his motivation, his kick in the bum, his biggest fan and the one eases Cris way throughout his professional career. Check out Cris support team full of stoke.

All this hard work showed off during the LPA Surf City 2024, and I am beyond proud of Cris and what he has achieved. After a little break we are now back to training, enjoying warm summer waves here in Fuerteventura. 

You want to support projects like Cris para surf training? Here is how you, too, can be a NOMB Changer.

Aloha, I am Chicken, one of the NOMB Changes founders and a strong believer that surfing is possible for everyone to enjoy.

Thanks to “Waves of Inclusion” by NOMB Changes in cooperation with the SwissWaveAcademy, we organized a para sura event the end of April in Switzerland.

It was an evening full of courage, determination, and the power of community. An evening that showed the seemingly impossible is possible: surfing on a standing wave for people with physical disabilities.

Two amazing para surfer

It was Anja and Cori, two impressive women who use wheelchairs, who decided to conquer the waves together with all of us. With smiles on their faces and epic energy, they set out to take on the challenges of the water.

But before hitting the waves, there was a cozy welcome aperitif. Here, the colorful group got to know each other, shared stories, and created an atmosphere of openness and trust. The initial nervousness quickly gave way to the joy of being part of such a supportive community.

And then it was time – the moment everyone had been waiting for: surfing on the standing wave. With enthusiastic cheers and support from the SwissWaveAcademy and the NOMB Changers, Anja and Cori ventured into the wave. It was a touching moment as they conquered the first waves together, a testament to the fact that nothing is impossible when you believe and live for it together.

Incredible moments full of joy

What followed were more moments of joy and pride, accompanied by warm embraces. These were moments that made the power of inclusion and shared success palpable – moments that showed inclusion is not just an idea for us but a living attitude and action.

This para surf adventure was more than just conquering waves; it was a symbol of the power of humanity and the ability to overcome boundaries together. Because at the end of the day, waves are for everyone – and everyone can feel the happiness they bring.

Now we are stoked and looking forward to our second para surf event of Waves of Inclusion, wakesurfing on a lake, in summer 2024. Stay tuned!