Over a recent weekend, Mineral Resources (MinRes) helped Ocean Heroes Australia deliver free surfing lessons to 50 participants in Esperance, Western Australia, between the ages of five to 30.
Ocean Heroes is a non-profit organisation that was founded in 2016 and aims to teach people on the autism spectrum how to surf, develop confidence, boost self-esteem and make meaningful connections with others.
Esperance community member Sue Walker said Ocean Heroes has helped her 29-year-old son Brock, who lives with autism, dyspraxia and ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), gain confidence in the water.
“He won’t go into the ocean with us, we’d be lucky to get him to go as far as his ankles, but every year he goes right out into the water with Ocean Heroes and he loves it,” Walker said.
“The instructors are amazing. No what matter what the age group, they are so patient – I can’t speak highly enough of them. When Brock goes down to the beach he lights up when he sees them.”
This is the fourth year where Ocean Heroes Australia has brought the surf sessions to the Esperance region. The lessons were made possible thanks to a MinRes community grant awarded to Ocean Heroes in October 2023. The funding also allowed Ocean Heroes to purchase eight specialised stand-up paddle boards.
“We are proud to help Ocean Heroes bring this program back to the Great Southern and to have such a positive impact on the lives of young Western Australians,” MinRes general manager, communities and heritage Heath Nelson said.
MinRes and not-for-profit Youth Focus recently celebrated 10 years of collaboratively providing essential mental health services to WA youth.
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