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Surfing teaches kids things they can’t learn in front of a screen. Paddling out, reading the ocean, standing up, falling, and trying again. Every moment builds confidence and resilience.
Research backs it up. A study published in the Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice found that children who participated in surf programs showed higher self-confidence, self-esteem, and emotional resilience (van Ewijk et al., 2020). Whether it’s a seven-year-old catching their first whitewater wave at Orewa or a teenager dropping into their first unbroken wave at Mangawhai Heads, each success sticks. On that note we just released a guide to surfing on East Coast Auckland for families and beginners.
You can almost see the change happen. The nervousness fades, their smile widens, and suddenly, they’re paddling back out ready for more. Surfing reminds kids that growth happens outside their comfort zone and that falling is part of learning.
When kids start surfing young, it becomes more than a sport. It becomes part of who they are. Surfing keeps them active, outdoors, and connected to nature. It gives them something positive to focus on after school, something that builds fitness, mindfulness, and joy all at once.
Science agrees. A 2021 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that surf therapy improves mood, emotional regulation, and social connection by combining exercise, challenge, and time in nature (Marshall et al., 2021). That’s why so many parents say their kids come home calmer and happier after being in the water. The ocean clears their minds, lifts their energy, and gives them a sense of freedom that no other hobby quite matches.
Want more reasons? Read some more on our blog about top health benefits of surfing.
Parents often say that their kids come home calmer and happier after being in the water. That’s the magic of surfing. The ocean clears their minds, lifts their energy, and gives them a sense of freedom that no other hobby quite matches.
Surfing also connects kids with others who share the same stoke. In Orewa and Mangawhai, the after-school sessions bring together kids from different schools and ages who all cheer each other on. There’s laughter, teamwork, and a sense of belonging that’s hard to find anywhere else.
It’s not about being the best surfer. It’s about having fun, learning together, and celebrating every little win. Those friendships often last well beyond the beach.
Fun, supportive coaching for wahine of all levels
This progressive, multi week program is for women of all backgrounds and abilities, from absolute beginners to those looking to sharpen their skills.
In a world full of distractions, surfing keeps things simple: saltwater, sunshine, good people, and endless waves. It teaches patience, respect for nature, and the reward of perseverance.
Researchers at Deakin University have also linked time spent in the ocean to lower stress, better mood, and higher overall wellbeing — proving what surfers already know: the ocean heals (Deakin University, 2022).
Watching kids grow up surfing, strong, happy, confident, and connected, is something truly special. The waves they ride today are just the beginning of where life will take them.
If you want your child to learn surfing the right way, Aotearoa Surf is the name you can trust. For over 15 years, we’ve delivered professional surf education across Auckland, Kaipara, and Northland.
We’re a Surfing New Zealand–approved Surf School, accredited by Water Safety New Zealand and Surf Life Saving NZ, and proud to be the only Qualmark Gold Standard Surf School in the country.
Our qualified ISA instructors teach through structured, safe, and fun programs — from After School Surfing and Youth Surf Camps to School Camps, Surf Lessons, and Women programs. Every session builds confidence, ocean awareness, and respect for the environment.
We operate under council licences at Te Ārai, Mangawhai Heads, and Orewa, meeting the highest safety, environmental, and community standards.
When you surf with Aotearoa Surf, you’re learning with New Zealand’s most trusted, experienced, and recognised surf school. The waves your kids ride today are the start of something much bigger.
References
Chief Editor and ISA instructor
NZ #1 qualified, experienced and proven surf school.
Surfing lessons, camps, programs & hire.
Kids, adults, women, youth, schools and teams.
Orewa, Te Arai, Mangawhai, Omaha, Piha.
