“I want to inspire people to overlook their limitations and make their dreams come true. Follow your dream, have a goal and somehow it will happen, if you believe in it enough.”
Pascale Honore had always dreamed of surfing, of “riding waves like her sons and their friends,” but after a car accident made her a paraplegic, she thought those dreams would never be a reality. Until one of her son’s friends, Ty Swan, said “you know what, I think we could tape you onto my back and take you out there.” And that’s exactly what they did.
The Port Lincoln Times explains:
Their attempts started in the lounge room with friend lying down and Ms Honore duct taped onto his back, trying to stand up. Ty could handle an extra 45 kilograms on his back so they took it to the water.
They started with skurfing – a cross between water skiing and surfing – and when that was a resounding success, it was time to get towed into a wave to try the real thing. “The surf was good at Blacks so we thought we would have a go and we caught a five-foot wave first time. I’ve just been obsessed ever since,” Ms Honore said.
As far as the pair knows, this “style” of surfing is totally unique to them, and they are planning a “surf safari-style trip” along Australia’s western coast. Ms. Honore said, “So we thought let’s make it really fun. We’ve just got an old bus and will be headed to north west WA for the winter, filming and surfing along the way.” They plan to leave in early July, and the trip should take about 6 months.
They have bought an old Coaster bus, which already has a lifter for her wheelchair but it still needs a bit of work to fit it out. They also plan to try paddle boarding with a board loaned to them by Fanatic.
The group is also looking for sponsors to help with much needed supplies. Honore said, “This is my first go at paraplegic touring and camping and we haven’t got much money. We need sponsorship and help with duct tape – lots of it – an underwater camera, solar panels, and help to fit the bus so it’s livable for six months.”
You can connect with them on Facebook, and if you would like to help them prepare for their adventure, the information to do that is on their page as well.
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