Wheels of inclusion: How this youngster is changing the game
"If you are a disabled South African, gone are the days when you will sit in your wheelchair and watch everybody else have fun on the beach," Reece told East Coast Radio.
Reece Smith of Rolling with Reece and his father, Wesley, are tirelessly working to make Amanzimtoti an international destination for disabled visitors through their Wheels on Waves programme.
“We at Wheels on Waves are transforming Amanzimtoti beach into a tourism destination for the disabled. If you are disabled, Amanzimtoti Beach is the place for you. We offer rides in the ocean, surfing, bodyboarding, fishing, disabled friendly games and it's all for free. If you are a disabled South African, gone are the days when you will sit in your wheelchair and watch everybody else have fun on the beach. We cater for all disabilities, with our focus on accessibility, inclusivity, safety and having a jol,” Reece told East Coast Radio.
Breaking Barriers
According to Travel News, last year, the Water Sweets 2024 games, which ran in December 2024, aimed to encourage able-bodied and disabled holidaymakers to engage in beach activities together.
The programme, hosted with the Sapphire Sizzling Summer programme, included beach arm golf, fishing, seated volleyball, sports quizzes and a unique game called Danito, in which participants were blindfolded and threw a hacky sack onto a scoreboard.
Inclusive Tourism
Wesley Smith emphasised that inclusive tourism is a major growth market, with approximately 10% of the global population experiencing some form of disability.
The Wheels on Waves programme is raising funds to buy Sandcruiser beach wheelchairs, which assist visitors with limitations in getting into the water. This initiative is a significant step towards making Amanzimtoti's beaches more accessible to everyone.
The Water Sweets games will conclude with a Santa Surprise Visit, a festive closing ceremony and an afterparty on the beach. The Sapphire Sizzling Summer programme will run alongside the Water Sweets Games and continue from 27 to 31 December on Amanzimtoti Main Beach.
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