My name is Cam (Stocky) Irwin
I'm a c7 incomplete quadriplegic from Tassie, who is WaveJet Australia's disabled team rider.
I grew up surfing and broke my neck 7 years ago, leaving me wheelchair bound and unable to paddle a surfboard by myself as I have no core muscles to lift my head off the board, my mates for the first 6 years took me out on a normal board we put handles on, it was great but they had 2 do everything, swim me out, duckdive, push me into and retrieve me off the shorey. WaveJet has given me back a part of my life that was so important, surfing inderpendantly with my mates again is the best thing in the whole world and I cant thank WaveJet and Nick Stranger enough.
But as much as people froth out of the product, many people are very negative also, Friday the 16th of May was one of these days.
I woke to my alarm at 545am and wrestled on my wetsuit, got into the chair and rolled out 2 the van where Dave chucked me in the front and we set off to Bells Beach carpark, we set up the boards waiting for first light, while doing so 3 people approached and asked "what are you guys doing" dave replied "we are taking Stocky out at Bells" the guys were so stoked they offered up there waves and high fives to me out in the water, it was 2-3 foot and perfect the vibe was great, got some really fun waves and had a sore face from smiling. We got out and back upto the van where I wrestled my wetsuit off and we waited for Muzz a paraplegic who we were taking for his first surf 2 years post accident. We decided that Point Roadnight was the best place to go because of the access, lack of swell and people. Dave was setting up while Muzz wheeled down 2 the waters edge and then the only person in the water a Mal rider by the name of Raj, came storming in and started verbally abusing Dave and Muzz, it was hectic verging on crazy. We were taking a guy in a wheelchair for his first surf on a beach with no people or waves and Raj was demanding we need registration, flares, lifejackets because we were a PWC. NO its a bloody surfboard with a tiny motor RAJ. But Muzz still got to have his demo and had his best day since his accident and im stoked I could be there even if Raj made a derro of himself.
WaveJet is essentially a paddle assistance product, so I say to all the haters take a step back and imagine today you have an accident and lose your mobility in some form, would you simply give up on surfing (HELL NO YOU WOULDN'T) this technology has its place in the world, embrace it I say and be stoked for me getting pitted yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew
Stocky
There will always be knob heads... Don't let em get ya down.... Stoked for ya...
Select to expand quoteStockycam489 said...
My name is Cam (Stocky) Irwin
I'm a c7 incomplete quadriplegic from Tassie, who is WaveJet Australia's disabled team rider.
I grew up surfing and broke my neck 7 years ago, leaving me wheelchair bound and unable to paddle a surfboard by myself as I have no core muscles to lift my head off the board, my mates for the first 6 years took me out on a normal board we put handles on, it was great but they had 2 do everything, swim me out, duckdive, push me into and retrieve me off the shorey. WaveJet has given me back a part of my life that was so important, surfing inderpendantly with my mates again is the best thing in the whole world and I cant thank WaveJet and Nick Stranger enough.
But as much as people froth out of the product, many people are very negative also, Friday the 16th of May was one of these days.
I woke to my alarm at 545am and wrestled on my wetsuit, got into the chair and rolled out 2 the van where Dave chucked me in the front and we set off to Bells Beach carpark, we set up the boards waiting for first light, while doing so 3 people approached and asked "what are you guys doing" dave replied "we are taking Stocky out at Bells" the guys were so stoked they offered up there waves and high fives to me out in the water, it was 2-3 foot and perfect the vibe was great, got some really fun waves and had a sore face from smiling. We got out and back upto the van where I wrestled my wetsuit off and we waited for Muzz a paraplegic who we were taking for his first surf 2 years post accident. We decided that Point Roadnight was the best place to go because of the access, lack of swell and people. Dave was setting up while Muzz wheeled down 2 the waters edge and then the only person in the water a Mal rider by the name of Raj, came storming in and started verbally abusing Dave and Muzz, it was hectic verging on crazy. We were taking a guy in a wheelchair for his first surf on a beach with no people or waves and Raj was demanding we need registration, flares, lifejackets because we were a PWC. NO its a bloody surfboard with a tiny motor RAJ. But Muzz still got to have his demo and had his best day since his accident and im stoked I could be there even if Raj made a derro of himself.
WaveJet is essentially a paddle assistance product, so I say to all the haters take a step back and imagine today you have an accident and lose your mobility in some form, would you simply give up on surfing (HELL NO YOU WOULDN'T) this technology has its place in the world, embrace it I say and be stoked for me getting pitted yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew
Stocky
Really good to here your out there and also sharing the stoke with others. It is sad that some people like to such the air out of other peoples enjoyment. Ignore them, keep it up and please share some of your surf trips..
Picks are very welcome
what an inspiration, it was great to see you out in the water stocky!
I saw a few of your waves and I hope you keep surfing! Surfing is for everyone!
ignore the negative people, they don't know what surfing is all about! fun for everyone!
