Aiden and Tariq Ride the Wave to Recognition 🌊

Aiden Coxhead (St Austell) and Tariq El-Sawad (Newquay) have been making waves. After spending last summer helping youngsters often excluded from surfing get into the ocean and onto surfboards, their work has been recognised on a national stage.  

Aiden was crowned a winner, while Tariq’s fantastic support was also recognised at the Stars of Learning Disabilities & Autism Awards — a celebration honouring individuals and organisations who are breaking barriers and championing inclusion. 

The awards ceremony, hosted by Traitors star and Mencap ambassador Alexander Dragonetti, took place Manchester’s Mercure Piccadilly Hotel, where Aiden and Tariq proudly represented their surf community and the young people they support. 

About Aiden’s Surf Club

Through his surf club, Aloha Kākou Shaka, Aiden is building a space where confidence, friendship, and belonging come first — proving that the ocean truly is for everyone.

Based at Newquay’s Watergate Bay, Aiden and Tariq, helped more than 80 youngsters experience the thrill of surfing during the 2025 season, thanks to a one-time grant from Sport England.

They would love to help even more young people during the 2026 surf season, and as that rapidly approaches, the duo are currently seeking sponsors or grant funding.

Run as a not-for-profit community interest company, Aloha Kākou Shaka is making surfing accessible to all — particularly young people with learning disabilities.

Meet Aiden and Tariq

Aiden is autistic, has a learning disability, and lives with Cystic Fibrosis — yet none of that stops him. A passionate surfer and qualified coach, he is as determined in the water as he is about fairness and inclusion on the shore.

At his side is Tariq, Aiden’s long-time personal assistant, buddy, surf coach, and all-round right-hand man. His support helps keep Aloha Kākou Shaka running smoothly and safely for every participant. Together they’re a team built on respect, trust, and shared passion — and it’s no wonder their work impressed the awards judges.

Their work embodies the spirit of Aloha Kākou — a Hawaiian phrase meaning “love and compassion for all”. That belief runs through every surf lesson, every high five, and every smile on the sand.

For Aiden and Tariq, the award is welcome recognition of the opportunities they’ve created for young people who might otherwise never have had the chance to surf. But while the trophy may now sit on the shelf, their real ambition is to turn that recognition into support — so they can keep creating waves of opportunity for others this summer.

Aiden says: “This award is amazing. Means the judges saw how good the surf club is and how happy it makes people to get on a board for the first time. Me and Tariq really want to spend our summer doing this again, but it’s hard. We’ve been selling our hoodies and trying to get grants but so far we’ve only got enough money for eight sessions, when we want to run 20. Me and Tariq we love to talk to you if you might want to sponsor or support the club.”

The Judges said: “Aiden Coxhead won because he achieves what no one with his level of support needs has ever accomplished, becoming the world’s first beach lifeguard and surf coach with his combination of autism, PDA profile, learning disability, cystic fibrosis, and severe dyslexia. He founded the Aloha Kākou Shaka surf club, creating the UK’s Only surfing space fully designed by and for people with learning disabilities. He delivers Oliver McGowan Training, shapes national policy through the Advocacy Fellowship, and reinvests profits from his surf brand to fund inclusive sessions, outreach, and competition access. Aiden is defining what true inclusion looks like.” 🌊💙