On Friday, 24th January, VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai teamed up with Surfwise to give a group of tamariki and rangatahi an unforgettable day of surfing at Waikuku Beach!

Thanks to the generous support of Sport Canterbury’s Tū Manawa Fund, we created an opportunity for young people in care to connect, challenge themselves, and have heaps of fun in the moana.

We kicked off the day at Waikuku Beach Domain, making sure everyone was sunscreened up and ready to go. The awesome Surfwise crew welcomed us with whānaungatanga activities and games to break the ice—by the end, everyone was feeling comfortable and connected.

Before hitting the water, we covered the basics: how to pop up on a board, key safety hand signals, and top tips for catching waves. Then, it was time to put our skills to the test!

We are so proud of every single person who stepped outside their comfort zone, pushed their limits, and celebrated their progress. Some caught their very first waves, while others sharpened their skills. A huge focus of the day was moving our taha tinana (physical bodies), connecting with taha whenua (the moana), and strengthening taha whānau (our VOYCE community).

It was a day filled with fun, growth, and connection, and we can’t wait to do it again. Watch this space for more VOYCE adventures on the waves!