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5-7 November 2010
Home » About Barney Miller
Barney Miller was a promising up and coming local surfer both in longboard and shortboard riding with a completion sense and a positive outlook on life. Also at the young age of 19 Barney was a confident and proud business owner who employed many Sawtell locals in his white water rafting business "Rapid Rafting". With hard work Barney's future was looking bright. in April 1998 Barney was involved in a motor vehicle accident where he was air lifted to Sydney and pronounced D.O.A. After a massive fight, Barney survived the ordeal to be left with facing the news of being a quadriplegic. This was devastating news, but with Barney's will power and positive oultook on Iife assured all around him that he would fight back and conquer his new disability.
Nine years on and Barney is truly living his own advice and is fighting back with an amazing recovery, now nearly total movement in his arms and sensation getting stronger in his lower extremities, he is a totally positive person and is showing everyone what can be done with hard work and dedication, and is inspiration to all who meet him.
The Barney Miller Classic formed by good friend and fellow surfer, Joel 'Tubby' Bath to help Barney after the tragic ordeal to raise much needed funds to support his treatment. The competition was a huge success and helped the well known local both financially and mentally, now with the event in it's ninth year it is a strong event (the largest on the north coast of NSW) attracting well known surfers from all over the east coast and as a local event which has been held at Sawtell each year. Over the course of its history, the "Barney Miller Classic" has enticed an ever-growing number of competitors each year. With last years event enticing an incredible 175 surfers of all ages and board lengths.
From WW to 2002 the event and proceeds were donated to Barney to help him with the massive financial burdens that having a disability incur. Barney being the great fighter he is decided to make each coming year's proceeds go to a new cause. In 2003 the proceeds went to the Zero to One foundation. The foundation was formed as a result of the Bali bombings and is essentially a foundation designed for young people to help young people and their families. 2004 and 2005 years proceeds where raised for two people who have sustained similar injuries to Barney and helped with their rehabilitation. Last years proceeds went towards "Disabled Surfers of Australia" who are the biggest organisation of it's kind in the world that has one simple goal, "The ocean should be able to be enjoyed by everybody". The comp raised enough funds to donate half of the expected costs of setting up a branch in Coffs Harbour - what an achievement. The Coffs Harbour branch held its first meeting In May of this year.
This event is the one of the biggest and longest running charity surf events on the north coast of NSW and is a major blue event to win in any up and coming surfers career. The comp could not be held without your support and generosity and we look forward in having a very successful event for 2010.