Not many people can combine their favourite pursuits in to a job but Sam Moore is lucky enough to do this. The Porthcawl dad of one teaches swimming at Bridgend’s Heronsbridge Special School for children with disabilities and coaches surfing with Welsh Coast Surf Club. Sam began to coach surfing professionally at 17 and now uses his experience to help young people with disabilities take part in the sport. “I do it to give something back,” says Sam, who is 30. “It helps that I’ve been doing it for quite a long time, and that I did it as a paid job so it gave me a good experience of working with customers every day, and I think you take that with you through life.”
Sam especially enjoys getting young people with autism involved in surfing, and has found they find it especially rewarding. “You do see a massive difference in them. It calms them down, and where they can feel shut out of the world, surfing is something they enjoy. You can really see them enjoying themselves, it’s such a great sensation and stimulus.”
Sam has taken a committed approach to getting young people with disabilities surfing, using adapted equipment such as tandem boards and paddle boards. “I’m in to trying different things out and if it works great, and if not, it’s back to the drawing board.” The Heronsbridge students enjoy the sport through Welsh Coast Surf Club, with Sam using his expertise to integrate those with disabilities in the club so they can have an inclusive experience.
His coaching ability has also been a hit in the school’s grassroots swimming programme; in the last year his students have scooped nearly 20 medals, including nine golds. Two were even identified by Swim Wales as particularly gifted swimmers.
These achievements also have a serious side, says Sam. “For those who have potential, it’s something they can excel at. Some may not be able to engage with literacy or numeracy very well but if they’re good at swimming it’s something they can be part off.”
Sam was rather modest on his Coach to Disabled People nomination. “I was really surprised to the point that I didn’t know why I’d been nominated, but when person who nominated me sat down with me and pointed out what I done I thought, ‘okay’. It’s just great to be noticed. I was still really shocked!”
