What we do?

Equal Access

We welcome you to SUPability. Gibraltar’s most pioneering charity.

We are a non profit organisation which aims to offer SUP and surf experiences for people of all ages, genders, diverse cognitive and physical abilities, neurodiversity and recipients of mental health services.

We'd like everybody to be able to enjoy the adventures that the sea brings. We work hard to provide a trauma informed accessible experience for as many people as we can.

Our sessions are based on self empowerment and person first not disability or diagnosis.

SUPABILITY adaptive SUP and surf experiences

What is SUP?

SUP stands for Stand Up Paddle. Where a person uses a board that floats and a paddle to move through the water.

Find out more

Fully Trained

Our team are fully trained with

BSUPA
ISA Adaptive Surf Instructor Training
First Aid

We regularly update our experiential rescue training procedures on land and sea.

What is adaptive SUP and surf?

An adapted SUP or surf experience to match the individuals abilities. This may include specialised equipment or different sized boards to support each person. There are many ways in which people can enjoy SUP.

Donate to make SUP more inclusive

Your generosity would not only make a huge difference but make it possible for us to create memorable adventures for the people who would not otherwise be able to access these sports.

Donations will be available soon. Please check back later.

Safety is important to us

People who would like to have a SUP or surf session are invited to complete a Pen Portrait. This is a list of questions that help us learn about the needs of each person who wishes to participate.

We use this form to assess risk appropriately. It can also be filled out by a guardian, foster parent, parent, social worker, doctor or therapist.

Take a look at a Pen Portrait form on below link.

Pen portrait form

Grassroots Sports. Community Wellbeing. Eco Adaptive Tourism. Inclusivity. Educational. Person First. Trauma Informed.

Why Is Sup Or Surf Important To Our Physical And Mental Health?

Being outdoors, fresh air, sea and sand
Connection with nature
In community with people building relationships
Sharing experiences with others
Present moment experience: your mind isn’t thinking of the past or the future, you are fully in the present. This may help with anxiety, stress, depression, addictions or relational PTSD
We use physical embodiment practice as a tool for healing through self-awareness, mindfulness, connection and self-regulation. Sometimes, parts of our bodies can be numb and we loose our sense of wholeness. These sessions may help you notice them through action e.g. how leg muscles contract or your balance on the board. You engage your body in the moment as you feel it
During some sessions we offer psychoeducation and grounding teqniques. This involves learning about and understanding mental health and wellbeing. You learn about how your mind and body works, how to look after it and the impacts of different strains or stressors

Some scientific research you may find interesting:

All aboard: users' experiences of adapted paddling programs... READ MORE
The physiological, musculoskeletal and psychological effects of stand up paddle boarding... READ MORE
The Long-Term Effects of Stand-up Paddle Boarding: A Case Study... READ MORE
Freedom on Water through Stand-Up Paddling: A qualitative study on physical bodily experiences and their influence on mental health... READ MORE
Psychological benefits of outdoor physical activity in natural versus urban environments: A systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies... READ MORE

SUPability Friends

The generosity of our SUPability friends has made a massive impact on the lives of many people. For many, this experience was once totally out of reach. We couldn’t have delivered such an inclusive service without the donations of all these parters. A heartfelt THANK YOU from all our team. Thank you for believing in us from the very beginning and for continuing to support our dream of getting people on the water.