Joss Bay in Broadstairs is to be the setting for a surfing first tomorrow (Saturday 20). Specialist instructors are coming from New York to teach youngsters with autism and others with learning disabilities how to ride the waves in what will only be the third time Britain has hosted a surf camp of this kind. Last year’s event was held in Devon.

Similar events in the US have had amazing results with autistic children and the Joss Bay camp promises to be a day of high emotions for the youngsters involved and their families.

Some 36 youngsters are expected on the day and will be coached by, among others, New York instructor Elliot Zuckerman who has run surf schools in the US for many years. The instructors will be tandem surfing, where children are taken out on 12ft surfboards with the instructor riding with them.