Inclusive surf centre waved through

Tuesday 17 August 2021

A dedicated centre at Le Braye to enable islanders of all abilities catch some therapeutic waves could be in place by spring 2022 after plans were given the green light.

Healing Waves - a local charity dedicated to giving islanders of all abilities access to the ocean - submitted proposals for its ‘inclusive surf centre’ earlier this year.

Designed by Nicholas Socrates of Socrates Architects, it is set to be built just north of Le Braye slipway on a site that was previously allocated to the charity by Jersey Property Holdings.

In addition to the centre, the plans include fully accessible toilets that will be open to the public, accessed externally, in the manner of regular public WCs.

The floor surface on the road between the centre and the Le Braye carpark will also be relaid with a flat, permeable, resin-bound surface that will improve accessibility for wheelchair-users.

The team welcomed the news of their full planning approval, which means the centre could be up and running by March 2022, “with great excitement and gratitude”.

“We are somewhat lost for words but would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the Government of Jersey, Planning and Environment departments, National Trust Jersey, Jersey Property Holdings and the Ministers involved," they said. "To have this level of recognition and support from them is very special to us and shows that they recognise the importance the work we do for our island’s children, vulnerable adults and tourists alike.”

“We now have over 200 athletes on the books and to know as of next year they will have a life enhancing facility to meet their physical, emotional and needs is just amazing," they added. "As a service it will offer everyone a safe, warm and dignified space to change, especially during the winter months.”

“The timing is right to take Healing Waves to the next level, meet our increasing service demands and offer a home/safe space for our ever-growing list of wonderful athletes.”

They also thanked islanders for their support and the comments and letters of support they submitted as part of the planning process, which they said had been overwhelming, as well as Mr Socrates and HLG Associates.

The trio behind the charity - Max Wiltshire, Dominic Booth and Seán Burke - said they would have never imagined how far “a small charity founded by three friends borrowing wetsuits and boards would come”. 

“It sure has been one beautiful journey since then helping hundreds of families, and we are beyond stoked to be making a real difference in Jersey," they said.

Pictured: Dominic Booth, Seán Burke and Max Wiltshire founded Healing Waves in 2017.

The planning approval comes just two months after Healing Waves received £411,000 as part of the second tranche of the Government’s Fiscal Stimulus Fund, which the team said puts them in an “extremely strong position” to ensure the facility is built to the highest standards as needed to meet the needs of its athletes.

Sharing their wishes for the centre in January, the team said it would give Healing Waves a much-needed home and dry space to run sessions from, store large quantities of specialist equipment and deliver training to their volunteer team. “For the Healing Waves Athletes and their families, it will be a safe space to meet, change and sign-in to sessions whilst giving all a sense of belonging and empowerment,” they added.

The charity’s co-founders Max Wiltshire and Dominic Booth also said it would provide a chance to showcase Jersey’s desire for inclusiveness and equality, by making Le Braye into “a centre of excellence with hopes of becoming globally renowned”.

Their application received the support of many local charities, including those supporting islanders with learning or physical disabilities such as Autism Jersey, Beresford Street Kitchen, Jersey Employment Trust, Jersey Mencap or New Horizons. Mind Jersey and Miguel Garcia, the Associate Medical Director for Mental Health and Social Care, also pledged their support along with Laneez Surf Centre and the Channel Islands Surfing Federation.

Visit Jersey also backed the proposals, saying they would not only respond to local legislation but also to consumer demand for “accessible tourism experiences” and ensure the island is both inclusive and welcoming to all.

In addition to sending public comments to the Planning Department, islanders supported the project with donations and fundraising activities.

Max and Seán raised £14,000 by running four miles, every four hours, for 48 hours, a challenge inspired by former Navy Seal and ultra-runner, David Goggins. 

Participants of Le Rossignol White Collar surfing challenge pledged to raise funds for the charity, along with Aureole Choir who recorded a sea shanty – to be released on 1 September - to support them, as well as Wetwheels Jersey.

Islanders also purchased 350 tickets in Healing Waves’ Ocean Raffle, helping raise £7,000 for the centre, which were then matched pound for pound by the DWE trust, making a total of £14,000.

A team of swimmers aged 49 to 59 called 'Horizontal and Smiling' - Sam Pipon, Nicki Brown, Justine Marrett, Karen Le Cornu, Karen Roworth and Kathryn Fleming, as well as shore-based crew Christiane Cook and reserve swimmer Phil Horsley – also challenged themselves to become the first relay team to swim twice around the island to raise money for the charity.

Originally planned for 24 July, their swim had to be postponed to the end of June 2022 due to the weather. In the meantime, they plan to swim from Jersey to France at the end of the month.

Meanwhile, the Stinky Bay Brewing Company launched a ‘Stinky Waves’ stone fruit Pale Ale last week.

For each of the mini-cask sold, the company made a donation to the charity as well making an additional £500 donation from the '1% For a Good' fund.