William Colenso College students get lesson from pro surfer Paige Hareb

On a windy Thursday afternoon 10 students from William Colenso College made the journey to Waimarama beach to have a surfing lesson with professional surfer Paige Hareb.

The 10 students from the school's surfing group were excited to have a lesson with a pro, but what they didn't know was there was 10 brand new boards and wetsuits waiting for them.

The new gear comes from the Cadbury-funded sports grant part of the Donate Your Kit initiative.

The school is one of 115 KidsCan partner schools nationwide which is receiving grants for sports gear.

Read More

• KidsCan says continued hardship for families is impacting education - NZ Herald
• William Colenso College postpone production, Jacinda Ardern and Ashley Bloomfield cutouts put i...
• Surfing: Paige Hareb returns to site of first major win as World Surf League Championship Tour ...
• Local Focus: Swell hammers Hawke's Bay but surfers happy - NZ Herald

William Colenso College head of PE Josh Badger said having the new wetsuits and beginners' boards which float well made the teaching and learning process easier for the students.

Originally when the group formed, they received donations of gear from the public but "they weren't really fit for purpose" for beginners so he applied for the grant.

The programme has a total of 12 kids and about half of the 10 who were able to attend the lesson had surfed before, and for half it was brand new.

Hareb said the lesson went "amazing".

She taught the students what way to stand, safety, and how to stand up.

"It was pretty cool talking to a few of the kids, they'd done it a couple of times before but they'd never actually stood up and got the feeling of surfing.

"Then he [one student] stood up straight away on the first two waves, that's just so awesome to see."

Students Connor Lawrence, left, and Ryan Langman with surfer Paige Hareb and the new surfboards. Photo / Paul Taylor

Hareb said she has been lucky to make a career out of surfing and hopes others can experience the benefits of the sport.

"[Surfing] is good physically and mentally as well. I know it will benefit these kids a lot being out there, you can take so much from surfing.

"It's so cool to see them out there enjoying it and I think everyone should have the chance to do that."

Badger said the kids all did really well and had a lot of fun.

"I think we will be struggling to keep them off it now," Badger said.

"In Hawke's Bay we are lucky that we have a lot of good surf breaks but our kids don't necessarily have the connections in order to be part of that and to learn.

"What we really wanted to do in starting the programme was to try and show them what opportunities there were that they go on so they could learn something new, get some confidence with it, and hopefully carry it on into the future."

In total 486 applicants are being funded through the $500,000 programme.

KidsCan CEO Julie Chapman said the applications showed just how much a piece of sports equipment means to students who may not have much.

"Teachers wrote of the world of opportunity that sport opens up, promoting engagement, pride, wellbeing and self-worth."

Next year the school is looking to expand the surfing programme, Badger said.