Kaha on the Coast was all about giving care experienced rangatahi the chance to try something bold, exciting, and totally new – surfing.
Across three action-packed sessions in Waimarama, 16 rangatahi aged 12–19 took part in a mix of education, pool training, and surf lessons, guided by the incredible crews from Sport Hawke’s Bay and Waves for Wellness. From learning how to spot a rip to mastering the “pop up” on a board, the sessions built both knowledge and confidence in the ocean, step by step.
Our pool day created a calm and supportive space where rangatahi could build skills safely and learn at their own pace in a more controlled environment, before heading into the ocean. When it came time to hit the beach, conditions were perfect. Before paddling out, everyone covered the basics again – how to anchor their board, position themselves safely, and catch a wave.
The real magic happened in the water with rangatahi pushing themselves beyond their comfort zones, celebrating each other’s wins, and building confidence with every attempt. Some caught their very first waves, while others sharpened their skills and went for more.
A big focus of the sessions was strengthening taha tinana (physical wellbeing) while connecting with taha whenua through the moana. Sunshine, clean waves, and plenty of banter made it an unforgettable experience.
The feedback from rangatahi said it all:
“Amazing event and the best experience doing something I’ve never done before.”
“I wanna do more surf lesson.”
“Did you see me stand?!”
Kaha on the Coast wasn’t just about surfing – it was about courage, connection, and backing our rangatahi to try something new and feel proud of themselves.
