A PARA surfing event on Bournemouth Beach has been fully booked with organisers saying the event has received double the normal interest.

The event is part of a six-stop roadshow across the UK that started on May 12.

Adaptative pathway manager at Surf England, Jack Patching, says the roadshow has been important to allowing disabled people access to the sport.

He said: "75% of people with disabilities don't get access to sport in school which is a pretty wild number. With surfing, there is an added complexity of danger as it's a varied environment.

"It's not the easiest sport to make accessible. We haven't said no to anybody surfing in four years regardless of how complex it is and we're getting to a point where the equipment is progressing, knowledge is progressing and that's why we're trying to stay ahead of the game."

The team is divided into nine different categories and has been able to help people with a wide variety of disabilities to take the barriers away.

Jack said: "We have different equipment, different surfboards, different wetsuits that have adaptations to make them easier to put on. 

"We focus on physical disabilities and visual impairments and don't cover intellectual disabilities. There's a lot of surf therapy charities such as the Wave Project so we signpost people towards them if they do have intellectual difficulties."

Ask why the tour had been brought to Bournemouth, Jack defined the reason as due to the high population density in the area mixed with a strong wave.

On top of this, Bournemouth is home to several national para-surfing athletes. 

Recently at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Jack and Surfing England hopes the event can raise awareness for the sport and help it become a Paralympic event.

The event will take place on 14-15 September at Shaka Surf at Branksome Dene Chine. The first surf will be at 10am and will end at 4.30pm.