NEWS DESK
Paraplegic takes the lead in kitesurfing Continued from Page 1 Although Jim Kolokithas mostly gets around in a wheelchair, he is no stranger to swapping land transport to being on the water. He water skis, sails a modified kitesurfer (it has a seat) and can manage to crawl across the sand if he wants a swim. But it’s the benefits of the matting for the less able that made the matting so special. “I’m in Melbourne now [he says by phone on Friday] and there’s not really any place I can’t venture off to by myself because of improvements with ramps and getting rid of steps. Water – the beach - is the next place to make accessible for all.” Mr Kolokithas is one of about eight disabled kitesurfers in the world. He is at the forefront of designing the modifications necessary – a seat and quick release mechanism - to make the sport disabled-friendly and hopes more people will take it up “now that sailing is no longer in the Paralympics”. “Kitesurfing is the only sport I can see these guys transitioning to,” he said. Mr Kolokithas said he took up kitesurfing after his accident “because it was the only sport I’d really wanted to do but never had time for [because of business]”. Apart from refining changes to the actual board in conjunction with colleagues in Europe, Mr Kolokithas is now working on a trolley to transport
the rig into the water. “Launching and retrieving is the most difficult part of kitesurfing.” Before coming off his bike he went scuba diving and was a water skier and snow skier and had ridden motorbikes since he was seven. The accident that nearly killed him happened when he fell off a dirt bike in sand dunes near Robe, in South Australia. “It [the ride] just went pear shaped, there was other vehicle involved,” he said. “I couldn’t breath and was fighting for my life; paralysis was the last thing on my mind. I had a collapsed right lung and five broken ribs.” While being transported to hospital the main thing he wanted was to get home to his three sons and wife, who was pregnant with their fourth child (another boy). Mr Kolokithas says his paralysis “is T10 on the ASIA scale, the worst you can be at that level”. The accident also led to the loss of his fruit and vegetable home delivery business which employed 18 people. “But I think now that I am somehow fortunate, although everyone has their own perspective. I have a lot of family time and life couldn’t be better.” He also sees “this time in history” as “a bit of a blessing because before now disabled couldn’t access anything”. “Quite a few councils are being proactive and providing access to water, the last frontier.” Keith Platt
WHAT’S ON AT NEPTOURS *CROWN CASINO – MONTHLY*
HORSHAM COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Casino’s bus program with a 5 days 4 nights great BUFFET lunch (all) $35. Thur 23 to Mon 27 March 2017 Only p/p over the age of 18 permitted. $695 Twin Share LAST THURSDAY EACH Single Supplement $150 MTH (numbers permitting)
QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET
Tue 13 Dec - All $30 CIRCUS 1903
Wed 3 Jan ‘17 matinee - All $130 DANIEL O’DONNELL
Mon 13 Mar ‘17 Evening - All $140
Welcome mat for all
THE BOOK OF MORMON
Tue 18 Apr ‘17 (7.00pm) All $160 MY FAIR LADY
Wed 17 May ‘17 (matinee) (a) $140 (p/s) $130 ALADDIN
Wed 8 Nov ‘17 (matinee) (a) $140 (p/s) $130
Phone: 5981 1277
www.neptours.com.au
NEW CHEF! NEW MENU!
Ready to roll: Above, Karen Frankhauser, above, tries out the new beach matting at Mt Martha with Virginia Richardson and the mayor Bev Colomb (right) while, left, Cooper Smith gets a helping push towards the sea from his sister Pepper. Pictures: Keith Platt
MORNINGTON RSL HAS A NEW CHEF AND NEW MENU. Friday Night from 6pm come GRZQDQGPHHW'DYLG5DIŶH from 7pm. $1.00 per ticket. Try your Luck! Venue available for hire for birthdays, Weddings, Christenings. Please contact the RSL on 59 75 2106 for further information. 27 Virginia Street, Mornington Phone: 5975 2106 Bookings Essential
...Don’t miss securing that wanted prope property p rty Immediate access to Bond & Rent nt Move into that property now Fast prompt assistance Easy terms and conditions No upfront fees and charges Pre approval before finding a property We can assist with transfer off bonds between properties
WE CAN ASSIST YOU WITH S TO IMMEDIATE ACCESS T BOND AND RENT
1300 554 470 2-4 Chelsea Rd, Chelsea VIC 3196 Fax: 03 9776 2929 Email: info@bondassist.com.au
www.bondassist.com.au
small, powerful hearing aids
)5Ʃ( 30 days hearing aid trials, no cost, no obligation.
)5Ʃ( Hearing aids to Pensioners*
)5Ʃ( 12 months maintenance for relocated Pensioners* *Subject to eligibility criteria through the Australian Pension Scheme.
PAGE 10
Mornington News 6 December 2016
1/7 Davies Avenue, Mount Eliza (03) 9708 8626 URELQWKHÀUVW#JPDLOFRP
Robin Tu
Hearing Care Professional Audiologist