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Like many first time surfers, Pascale Honore was riding high on the thrill of her first surfing experience but unlike others, she did it without the use of her legs.
Following a car accident which left her a paraplegic, she had only ever dreamed of riding waves like her sons and their friends.
“Both my sons surf so I always have gone along to watch and I’ve always loved the water," she said.
“I was always talking about good it would be to go surfing and one day, a friend of my son said ‘you know what, I think we could tape you onto my back and take you out there’.”
Their attempts started in the lounge room with friend Ty Swan 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.
On their second outing, they wiped out but she had been well prepared for it.
Being a paraplegic impacts on her breathing so she had been in training at the pool, practicing holding her breath.
As far as she knows, her style of surfing has never been done before and plans are afoot for a surf safari-style trip along the Western Australian coast.
Professional surfer Ry Craike was so impressed with her story when he visited Elliston recently he invited her to visit him in Kalbarri for a surf and to feature in his television show.
“So we thought let’s make it really fun,” Ms Honore said.
“We’ve just got an old bus and will be headed to north west WA for the winter, filming and surfing along the way.”
She, Ty Swan and another friend plan to leave in early July for six months, heading to Kalbarri then working their way down the coast.
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.
Ms Honore said they wanted to try paddleboarding and Fanatic had loaned them a board and she hoped others would also be able to support their trip.
“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.”
Being in a wheelchair Ms Honore said she would also welcome help from people willing to offer their time to work on the bus.
“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," Ms Honore said.
She can be contacted on 0427 358 519.