Aloha Kākou Shaka
Surfing for anyone neurodivergent.
Probably the world's first surf club that has been designed and run by and for those with learning disabilities and or other neurodivergences.
If you’re physically disabled, you’ll find adaptive and para-surfing competitions in which to compete. But if you’re a surfer like Aiden, who has learning disabilities, there’s no recognised pathway. No competitions. No category. No clubs. Aloha Kākou Shaka is here to change that.
Meet Aiden, Founder of Aloha Kākou 🤙
Aiden is autistic with a PDA profile, has a learning disability, severe dyslexia, and cystic fibrosis - yet he's never let labels define or stop him.
He became one of the first in the country with his level of intellectual need, to qualify as an RNLI beach lifeguard, before going on to earn his ISA surf coaching qualification.
Now a passionate surfer and surf coach, Aiden is the heart of Aloha Kākou Shaka. He's making waves with what we believe is another first - a surf club that welcomes anyone neurodivergent to the waves, especially those, like him, with a learning disability.
Born and raised on the South coast of England, Aiden knows first hand how the ocean can heal, empower, and connect. He's now using his lived experience to build a neurodivergent surfing community where others can feel seen, supported, and free to be themselves.
Aiden's mission is simple: To make learning disability an official category within adaptive surfing and para-surfing competitions.
Through his surf club, he's creating a future where people like him can compete against their peers.
Aiden's dream? To travel the world and surf competitively the same as other athlete surfers, like his friends and others in his local surfing community Charlotte Banfield, Melissa Reid, Pegleg Bennet. He wants to inspire change, so those with learning disabilities are no longer excluded from the the international competitive surfing arena.
“I want people like me to have the same chance to surf, smile, and feel proud. That’s what Aloha Kākou Shaka 🤙 is for.”
– Aiden
What we do
From April to October, we run inclusive surf sessions at Watergate Bay, Newquay, Cornwall for:
-
Anyone neurodivergent including those with
-
learning disabilities,
-
Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's or any other
-
additional support needs.
-
-
Families, carers, and support workers.
-
Anyone who needs a gentle, understanding, and empowering approach to surfing.
Surfing can be expensive. You need a board, a wetsuit, wax – and, in our case, adaptive equipment and extra surf coaches to run our sessions safely to support those with additional needs. We don’t want funding to be a barrier to getting into the water. That’s why we also offer cost-price places for those who might otherwise be excluded. We believe surfing is for everyone — no matter your background, diagnosis, or experience. If you are neurodivergent you can surf with us. Want to? Express your interest on the form below.
Aiden's an inspiration but so are his supporters
Aiden may not use written words, but he's pretty good at amplifying his voice (he won an award to prove it!) With a deep understanding of difference and an even deeper love of surfing, he's passionate about sharing the benefits with others.
Aiden truly is an inspiration, but so too are all those who support him in his mission.
Even if you've never surfed, there's something you can do to support Aiden - so he can run more inclusive surf sessions and help more youngsters like him ride the waves.
Ways to hop on a board and lend your support:
🏄 Ride with us.
Our adaptive surf sessions run from April to October at Watergate Bay, weather and tide depending. Know someone who would benefit? Want to join yourself (there's no upper age limit)?
📧 Email: AKSsurfclub@gmail.com
🛒Shop with us.
Aiden designed the 🤙 Aloha Kākou Shaka logo then partnered with Cornish businesses to launch a range of surf-inspired apparel. Need a non-itchy, quick-dry tee, or a snug hoodie - he's got you covered. He reinvests the profits from every purchase to fund low-cost and no-cost surf sessions.
📢Spread the word.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram, send your words of encouragement to Aiden, and spread the word about Aloha Kākou Shaka 🤙
💳Fund or sponsor us.
If you’re a business, funder, charity, or individual who is inspired by Aiden, his truly inclusive Aloha Kākou Shaka 🤙surf club, or his passion for surfing - and you’d like to support in any way – we’d love to hear from you.
Aloha Kākou means “Kindness & Compassion for all” and this - 🤙 is the shaka symbol which is a surfing celebration term.
“Aloha Kākou” is Hawaiian and means: “kindness and compassion for all.” That’s what we stand for.
Questions or Ready to Ride?
📧 Email: AKSsurfclub@gmail.com
📞 Call or text: 07743 996 823
📍 Surf with us at: Watergate Bay Beach thanks to the fabulous WAVEHUNTERS for partnering with us and allowing us to use their changing facilities, wetsuit and board hire to enable us to keep the cost down.
This project has been funded by Sport England and their Movement Project, in association with Wavehunters, and Surfing England.
