The 14-year-old has implemented a special needs program at Windang Surf Club, encouraging young people with disabilities to have fun and get active in the water.

"It all started when I got picked on a bit at school and I saw kids with special needs were getting picked on as well and I felt like I could really relate," April said.

"It's just something I really wanted to organise so I started getting really involved with it."

The program kicks off on March 8 at Windang Surf Club, giving young people with disabilities the chance to become a "nipper".

"We're going to get the kids in about knee-deep water and we're going to have two patrol members with each child," April said.

"We're just going to do some water activities on the boards and then we'll come up on the sand and do some games with balls; then we're going to give them a tour of the club, followed by a sausage sizzle."

April's father Doug Hockey, who is a fellow Windang Surf Club member, couldn't be more proud of his daughter.

"She'll be the first one in the Illawarra doing it so other clubs, we're hoping, take it on board."

At the weekend, April was awarded Junior Illawarra Surf Lifesaver of the year.

"It's incredible and through that, Surf Club Australia wants to try and get this program happening nationwide," Mr Hockey said.

Albion Park mother Narelle Pietrobelli was contacted by Doug and April as her 12-year-old daughter Bethany suffers from multiple disabilities and a sensory disorder.

"She feels different already, she knows that she's different and trying to include her in normal day-to-day things that everyone else gets to do is really important to her," Mrs Pietrobelli said. Bethany has just started swimming in the Special Olympics and has always wanted to get in the surf.

"When April came to me, I thought this is a great opportunity for a lot of people," Mrs Pietrobelli said. "Everyone I've spoken to that I know has kids with disabilities is going."