It has been another fantastic term for Whitianga Skate School, with 97 children taking part in our weekly classes. Seeing so many local tamariki giving skateboarding a go, developing new skills and supporting one another has been a real highlight.
One of the most exciting additions has been Little Rippers, our new class created especially for children under five. Through songs, balancing games and playful activities, our youngest skateboarders are learning the basics while developing confidence, coordination, and fine and gross motor skills.
At this age, it is not about mastering tricks. It is about feeling comfortable on a skateboard, learning how to balance, taking turns and discovering that it is okay to fall and try again. Watching the children become more confident each week – and begin to believe, “I can do hard things” – has been incredibly rewarding.
Our in-school skateboarding programme has also continued to grow. We now visit six schools across the Coromandel, giving more tamariki the opportunity to experience skateboarding in a safe, encouraging and supportive environment.
This term, it has been wonderful to return to Mercury Bay Area School and to visit Te Rerenga School for the first time. We were also proud to give ten skateboards to students at Coromandel Area School, allowing them to continue practising, sharing and enjoying skateboarding after our sessions have finished.
Another special opportunity has been connecting with Te Tiihi Nui Trust and working with some of the young adults they support. Skateboarding may not have been an activity they would otherwise have had the chance to try, but they embraced the experience and all did amazingly well. It was a privilege to spend time with them, share plenty of smiles and celebrate their achievements.
We hope this is the beginning of more partnerships with local trusts, schools and community organisations. The Guided Journey Charitable Trust has several new projects we would love to get up and running, creating further opportunities for tamariki, rangatahi and young adults throughout our area to grow, thrive and experience a genuine sense of belonging and wellbeing within their community.
As we head into our final term of the year, we are looking forward to welcoming everyone back for Term Four. We will finish the year with our Christmas skate party – a chance to bring everyone together and celebrate how far the children have come. Their achievements are not only the tricks they have learned, but also the confidence, resilience, friendships and determination they have developed along the way.
None of this would be possible without the support of our families, schools, community members and sponsors. A huge thank you to The Lost Spring, Coastline Excavations, A2B Signs , PJ Builders, Hahei Water Taxi, Chops Landscaping, Gardenscapes Whitianga and Overdrive Automotive for helping us create these opportunities and supporting the continued growth of skateboarding across the Coromandel.
We are also incredibly grateful to every parent, volunteer, teacher and community member who continues to encourage what we do. Together, we are helping local young people feel active, capable, connected and proud of what they can achieve.
◾️Whitianga Skate School is the main programme proudly delivered by The Guided Journey Charitable Trust.
