In this article we are showing how inclusive water sports are transforming access to beaches for people with disabilities in Northern Ireland. Naomi Herron, who has cerebral palsy, returned to the beach after years of being unable to access it and successfully campaigned for more inclusive beaches. Through the Mae Murray Foundation, she now enjoys supported swimming and paddleboarding using specially adapted boards, which give people with different physical abilities the opportunity to participate alongside family and friends.

Other participants, including Jordan McGarel and 14-year-old Oscar, have also benefited from the experience. With adapted wheelchairs, specialised seating and trained volunteers providing support, paddleboarding allows them to overcome fears, experience greater freedom and enjoy activities together with their families. For Oscar’s family, being able to participate as a unit has brought particular happiness and helped him feel included.

The Mae Murray Foundation has established six inclusive beaches across Northern Ireland, providing accessible parking, toilets, changing facilities and equipment. The organisation says these initiatives can be life-changing, especially for people who may have stopped visiting beaches because they could no longer be safely carried onto them. By providing adapted equipment and activities such as paddleboarding and surfing, the foundation is breaking down physical barriers and helping disabled people reconnect with the sea. It also offers members free access to a range of accessible equipment, including specialised wheelchairs, buggies and trikes.