A ST Austell man who created the UK’s only surf club designed by and for people with learning disabilities has been honoured with a national award.

Aiden Coxhead was crowned the winner of the Stars of Learning Disabilities & Autism Awards, which honours individuals and organisations who are breaking barriers and championing inclusion.

He received the recognition for his surf club, Aloha Kākou Shaka at Watergate Bay, a not-for-profit community interest company, which is making surfing accessible to all, particularly young people with learning disabilities.

The judges also praised Aiden for becoming the world’s first beach lifeguard and surf coach with his combination of autism, PDA profile, learning disability, cystic fibrosis, and severe dyslexia.

Tariq El-Sawad from Newquay, Aiden’s long-time personal assistant, buddy, surf coach, and all-round right- hand man, was also recognised at the awards.

His support helps keep Aloha Kākou Shaka running smoothly and safely for every participant.

Aiden and Tariq’s work was recognised on a national stage after spending last summer helping youngsters often excluded from surfing get into the ocean and onto surfboards.

The presentation ceremony, hosted by Traitors star and Mencap ambassador Alexander Dragonetti, took place Manchester’s Mercure Piccadilly Hotel, where Aiden and Tariq proudly represented their surf community and the young people they support.

Aiden’s surf club Aloha Kākou Shaka aims to offer a space where confidence, friendship, and belonging come first.

The club helped more than 80 youngsters experience surfing during the 2025 season thanks to a one-time grant from Sport England.

Aiden and Tariq would love to help even more young people during the 2026 surf season. The duo are currently seeking sponsors or grant funding. Their work embodies the spirit of Aloha Kākou, a Hawaiian phrase meaning “love and compassion for all.”

The award for Aiden and Tariq, is welcome recognition of the opportunities they have created for young people who might otherwise never have had the chance to surf.

But while the trophy may now sit on the shelf, their real ambition is to turn that recognition into support so they can keep creating waves of opportunity for others this summer.

Aiden said: “This award is amazing. Means the judges saw how good the surf club is and how happy it makes people to get on a board for the first time.

“Me and Tariq really want to spend our summer doing this again, but it’s hard. We’ve been selling our hoodies and trying to get grants but so far we’ve only got enough money for eight sessions, when we want to run 20. Me and Tariq would love to talk to you if you might want to sponsor or support the club.”

The judges said: “Aiden won because he achieves what no one with his level of support needs has ever accomplished. He delivers Oliver McGowan Training, shapes national policy through the Advocacy Fellowship, and reinvests profits from his surf brand to fund inclusive sessions, outreach, and competition access. Aiden is defining what true inclusion looks like.”