Adaptive Stoke with Sean Brody, Head Coach for USA Surfing's Para Surf Team
An interview with guide Sean Brody of SEA (Surf Education Academy), Head Coach for USA Surfing's Para Surf Team, and one of Thermal’s first guides to accommodate adaptive surfing on our trips
An interview with guide Sean Brody of SEA (Surf Education Academy), Head Coach for USA Surfing's Para Surf Team, and one of Thermal’s first guides to accommodate adaptive surfing on our trips.
As we add more and more surf trips to the Thermal roster, our (quickly) growing number of trips with guides that can accommodate adaptive surfing is something we’re particularly proud of. To get a better idea of what that might look like, we caught up with San Diego’s Sean Brody of SEA (Surf Education Academy) — who’s also Head Coach for USA Surfing's Para Surf Team — for an enlightening conversation about adaptive surf. Sean has also joined the Thermal team as an Adaptive Surf Advisor, to help guide us on our journey in this space.
Learn more about our Adaptive Surf Trip and Adaptive Surf Advisor program HERE.
Thermal: So Sean, many Thermal community members might not understand what goes into adaptive surfing. What are the kinds of challenges many of these surfers face/overcome?
Sean: Many individuals face unique challenges and obstacles when it comes to getting into the surf and catching waves. Adaptive surfing is really any time we modify our approach or equipment to best suit the needs and the abilities of each individual surfer. In addition to modifying the equipment used for or modifying the approach or technique to successfully navigate the surf, there are often overlooked areas that are important to consider when working with adaptive surfers as well. For example, it is important to consider how they are going to get to the beach, is there any handicapped parking or facilities available, are there beach wheelchairs, does the surfer need assistance getting out of the vehicle and to the beach, etc.
Often times some disabilities are very clear and other times there are disabilities that are not very apparent, or complications that are associated with disabilities. For example, often, people with spinal cord injuries may also have challenges with temperature regulation, which is not as apparent, but very important to know.
Absolutely. And then meanwhile, you’re Head Coach of USA Surfing's Para Surf Team…What does that entail and how do you work with these surfers to realise their potential?
It is a true honor to be a head coach for USA Surfing‘s Para surf team, which will become the Paralympic surf team once para surfing is included in the Paralympic games. All of our athletes are incredible surfers and, as a coach, it is my job to help them improve upon their natural abilities by offering guidance, expertise, strategy and encouragement. The surfers are really putting in the hard work and I like to take a zoomed-out approach to see the big picture. Ultimately, at the end of the day it is about getting in the right headspace, having fun and setting the bar high for the growing Adaptive Surfing community.
What’s that mean to you or look like for adaptive surf trips to become available for the adaptive surfing community?
It is important to remember that adaptive surfers are just surfers, and they are as stoked and surf hungry as any surfers you may know. With that said, they love to get out and off the beaten trail and to adventure and the more operators and service providers that can take into consideration any accessibility issues, transportation or modifications for accommodating individuals with various abilities and unique needs — the better. I think it is great to have some benchmarks and indicators for adaptive surfers to have some recommended and vetted coaches, tours, surf trips, etc. to know they are working with people that have some experience, in addition to big hearts.
— Sean Brody, Surf Education Academy
Any advice to other Thermal surf guides and lodges to better meet the needs of adaptive surfers?
A few things that I feel are important when working with special populations or individuals with disabilities is to remember that everyone is an individual. Even groups are comprised of groups of individuals. Every individual has their own confidence levels, their own experience or lack thereof, their own goals, and it is important to take an individualized approach to each surfer.
Secondly, a lot of people feel intimidated to ask about people’s disabilities and I have found in my experience that, most of the time, the individuals appreciate when you ask how you can best help them. No one is going to know better than the individual participant the best way you can help, so I feel it is important to ask questions that can help everyone achieve success, instead of avoiding questions about unique considerations. For example, if I am working with a surfer who has visual impairment, I might say something along the lines of, “I understand you have some visual impairment, can you tell me a bit more about your vision so I can best assist you?”
Makes sense. Any destinations or trips you think are particularly well-suited to adaptive surfers?
Well, San Diego has a booming adaptive surfing community with lots of individuals that are willing to help out and a few great waves and setups that make accessing the surf really easy and enjoyable. It is important to think about how an individual would access the surf, so making sure there is a way or a plan in place so the surfers can get to the waves is crucial. I know a lot of adaptive surfers prefer pointbreaks or waves with channels, as it is more conducive than consistent beachbreak waves. With all that said, there are many surfers I know that won’t let any obstacles slow them down, so no destination is off the list, sometimes we just have to get more creative and put in the effort.
