2026 Para Surfing Roadshow

2026 PARA SURFING ROADSHOW SUPPORTED BY SALTROCK

 

Ever wanted to try surfing? 

Now is your chance, the Surfing England Para Surfing Roadshow is back for 2026. After welcoming 70 new surfers with disabilities to our sport in 2025 we are back for 2026 with the continued support of Saltrock. Come along to a taster day where you will join a session led by current Team England coaches and world championship medal winning athletes. See what a day at the roadshow looks like below!

No previous experience required and all equipment (including wetsuits) will be provided.

A donation of £10 will secure your place and all money will go to the brand new para surf clubs across England which you will be invited to join post roadshow.

Sarah Loder, Marketing Manager for Saltrock says:

“Saltrock is incredibly proud to continue our partnership with Surfing England and to be the headline sponsor of the 2026 Para Surfing Roadshow. This collaboration aligns so strongly with our values of being authentic and community‑minded.  It’s about real people, real experiences, and creating space for everyone to feel welcome in the water. Our attitude has always been about inspiring people to get outside, try new things, and embrace adventure. The Para Surfing Roadshow brings that spirit to life in the most meaningful way. We’re excited for another year supporting para surfers and helping this amazing community continue to grow.”

More details below and please fill in the sign up form if you want to join us on any of the sessions. Please note Dorset Orthopaedic is a separate sign up – contact them to book. PLEASE DO NOT contact the surf centres directly.

Locations and dates: 

 

Saturday 9^th May, Bournemouth

Monday 1st June, The Wave 12pm + 3pm

Tuesday 2nd June, The Wave 12pm + 4pm (Dorset Orthopaedic only – please contact them for booking form)

Friday 21^st August, Saltburn

Saturday 22^st August, South Shields

Saturday 12^th September, Newquay

THE DETAILS

Timings: 

We will be at the beach all day, so you are welcome to come along from about 10am. We will run up to 3 sessions throughout the day depending on numbers. 

Sessions will run at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Please arrive 1 hour before your session for an introduction and so that you can get kitted up in your wetsuit. Sessions will be 90 minutes long, which will include around 60 minutes in the water.  For THE WAVE, the sessions will run 11am and 3pm.

You can specify on the sign up form which time would work best for you. In advance you will be allocated a session before the day so you can plan accordingly. You can arrive early and stay to watch other sessions if you want to make the most of the whole day, but the volunteers and coaches will only be available to assist you during your allocated session. 

Facilities: 

All locations will have parking, toilets and changing areas available for you. These vary by location. We will send more details, including a specific meeting point nearer the time so that you can plan your day accordingly. 

Beaches can be quite difficult to navigate particularly if you have a mobility device such as a wheelchair. We will do our best to make the day as accessible as possible and will provide beach wheelchairs to give access onto the beach and into the water. 

At The Wave, the whole site has been built with inclusivity at its centre, making it a fantastic venue for people with disabilities to surf.

If you need assistance with any personal care needs such as getting changed into a wetsuit, please bring someone with you. 

Equipment: 

You do not need any specific equipment for the day, but please make sure to have swimwear to wear under a wetsuit. If you have your own wetsuit, feel free to bring that to wear. 

We will provide boards, buoyancy aids/life jackets (as needed), helmets (as needed), rash vests, beach wheelchairs and surfboards. 

There will not be a hoist available to transfer you into the beach wheelchair but there will be coaches and volunteers around to help lift you as needed. 

What to bring: 

Please make sure to bring swimwear, a towel and warm clothes for when you finish your session. Please also remember to bring water and snacks to keep you fuelled throughout the day. It is likely you will be quite tired after you finish your session. 

If it’s a sunny day, remember to bring suncream and a hat. Ideally make sure you have waterproof suncream for your face during the session. 

DON’T FORGET TO BRING ANY MEDICATION THAT YOU REQUIRE OR MAY NEED THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

Classifications

The ISA currently has 9 different classifications for para surfing. The description of each classification is below. Please specify on the sign up form which classification you think you fit in to. This will give us a better idea of the needs of participants for the day. If you decide to progress to competing in para surfing in the future, you would need to get officially classified by the ISA. If this is something you would be interested in, we can give you more information during the taster day. 

Para Surfing Sport Classifications

Sport Class	Description
Para Surfing Stand 1	Surfers who ride waves in a standing position with an upper body impairment.
Para Surfing Stand 2	Surfers who ride waves in a standing position with a lower body impairment below the knee.
Para Surfing Stand 3	Surfers who ride waves in a standing position with a lower body impairment above the knee
Para Surfing Kneel/Upright	Surfers who ride waves in a kneeling or upright position.
Para Surfing Sit	Surfers who ride waves in a sitting position.
Para Surfing Prone 1	Surfers who ride waves in a prone position.
Para Surfing Prone 2	Surfers who ride waves in a prone position and need assistance to paddle into waves and while in the water.
Para Surfing Vision Impairment 1	Surfers who have a visual impairment defined by IBSA Sport Class B1.
Para Surfing Vision Impairment 2	Surfers who have a visual impairment defined by IBSA Sport Class B2 and B3.