Bullas balances volunteering with Ocean Heroes and her AFLW career. Photo: West Coast Eagles.

NOTE: This article was originally a university assignment, also published on the Inner Sanctum in April 2021.

Last weekend, Scarborough Beach Pool held a 24-hour swim fundraiser for a local charity that aims to make the beach more accessible for children with Autism.

Ocean Heroes, an organisation that teaches children how to surf, raised more than $35,000, which will go towards purchasing new equipment, operational costs and covering its free events.

The fundraiser attracted over 73 swimmers, including Olympian Eamon Sullivan and AFLW Footballer Hayley Bullas, who competed in six teams.

Bullas is one of its many volunteers and has been involved in the last year and a half, driven by her passion for the beach and surfing.

She says she wants to share this passion with children with autism.

"To jump onboard with Ocean Heroes, which encourages more people on the spectrum to get in the water and utilise what's in their backyard. I couldn't say no to that," she says.

"It was pretty epic to have so much support for the organisation, knowing what you're doing is helping more kids get in the water and surf.

"To give everyone equal opportunity, I think it's a great organisation."

Ocean Heroes, founded by Sam Moyle, Luke Hallam and Tom Johnson, is one of 35 inclusive organisations approved by the Autism Association of W.A.

It was founded after Mr Hallam discovered few children with Autism had experienced the beach or surfing.

Autism Association of W.A. claims people with Autism have difficulties with self-esteem, confidence and motor skills - something that physical activity like surfing can assist with.

Often, children with autism also miss out on experiences that their neurotypical peers may have due to specific accommodations needed for them to participate not being available.

Co-founder Mr Moyles says he was disappointed to hear children on the spectrum were missing out on the Australian beach lifestyle, and wanted to give them an opportunity.

"We've got beach culture ingrained in us. We realised it was such a shame that there was a portion of our society missing out," he said.

"Surfing is a good opportunity to get them out and doing physical sport in a safe, inclusive environment."

He also supports the W.A. Association of Autism's claims that surfing builds self-confidence and belief.

"A lot of the time, they have low self-esteem because they aren't part of inclusive sports," he said.

"It's really important for these kids to be part of these social environments because a lot of them don't have exposure to them normally.

"To get them out in the surf builds their self-confidence, balance, motor-sensory skills and helps them do a multitude of things all under the one umbrella."

Rebecca Ruthven

Ocean Heroes making waves