Brandon Klein, a student from New York, wanted to transform the surfing experience for disabled people. Earlier this month he unveiled a new Children’s Adaptive Surfboard at his local beach, based on a design by our very own Cerebra Innovation Centre.

Brandon grew up in Long Island by the ocean. He was inspired to work toward building an adaptive surfboard for children when he saw a similar board for adults oversees and felt compelled to help create a way for all children, no matter what their ability, to enjoy the ocean like he had.

In 2023 we reported that Brandon got in touch with Dr Ross Head from the Cerebra Innovation Centre. The Innovation Centre had already created an innovative tandem adaptive surfboard that has revolutionised the sport of surfing for disabled people in the UK. Ross shared his surfboard design and gave guidance on getting a custom surfboard crafted locally. You can read more about that project here.

The board proved to be such a hit that Brandon secured funding to build another smaller one so that disabled children could also experience the thrill of the surf. The unique and innovative surfboard is one of the first of its kind in the U.S. The surfboard features an adjustable Tillett racing seat that fosters a level of independence for child athletes in the water.

The surfboard was unveiled on August 15th at 1pm at Skudin Surf Long Beach, New York where children got the chance to try the board for the first time. You can watch a video of how they got on here.

Brandon is set to start college this Autumn as a UNC Innovation Scholar. Innovation Scholars are outstanding students selected on the basis of their extraordinary potential to solve problems and create value. We wish Brandon every success for the future and we are sure that he will continue his passion for transforming lives though innovative design.