Kids Club & Community
More Than a Holiday Programme: Building the Next Generation of Water Users
Over the last season, one of the most rewarding parts of rebuilding Fergs has been working with kids.
What started as a holiday programme has grown into something with real momentum. Not just keeping kids busy for a few days, but giving them proper experiences on the water. Learning new skills, building confidence, and starting to feel at home in the ocean.
That’s what Iti Adventures has become.
And it’s also what’s driving what comes next.
More Than Just a Holiday Programme
Iti Adventures was never meant to be just childcare.
It’s about getting kids outside, onto the water, and into an environment where they can try things, make mistakes, and figure things out for themselves.
Kayaking, SUP, raft building, problem solving, working as a team. All of it plays a part.
The biggest thing we’ve seen is confidence grow. Kids who are unsure at the start of the day, and completely different by the end of it.
That’s the bit that matters.
Why This Matters (A Personal Note)
A while ago, I realised my journey in the outdoors wasn’t going to look how I first imagined.
I wanted to be the best. The top mountaineering instructor, the best kayaker, the best raft guide. I was on that path with a group of good mates, and we pushed each other hard. We learned fast, got into some incredible environments, and built real skills.
And a lot of those guys went on to become exactly that. Top level athletes, highly qualified, holding serious roles in the outdoor world.
I could have stayed on that path.
But it became pretty clear to me that my strengths sat somewhere else.
What I’m good at is working with young people. Creating energy, keeping things moving, building confidence, and helping kids get excited about the outdoors. I can hold the attention of 40 kids for a full day, or multiple days, and make it meaningful. That’s a different skill set.
That’s what I’ve built my career around.
And that’s what Fergs is about.
We’ll always have the capability for high-level instruction. Teaching people how to use the environment properly, safely, and with confidence.
But we’re also specialists in something just as important, giving kids the opportunity to get out there in the first place.
What We’ve Been Missing
The one gap has been what happens next.
We’ve had a lot of kids come through the programme, love it, and then… that’s it. No clear next step. No consistent way for them to keep progressing.
That’s what we’re looking to change.
Introducing the Fergs Ocean Paddle Academy
We’re starting to build something new.
The Fergs Ocean Paddle Academy is about creating a pathway for kids who want to keep going. Whether that’s just getting more confident on the water, or eventually moving towards competitive paddling.
At this stage, we’re keeping it simple.
We want to get it going, see who’s interested, and build it properly from there.
Taster Session – This Sunday - 03.05.26
We’re running a taster session this Sunday to give people a feel for what this could look like.
🗓 Sunday 03rd May 2026
⏰ 09:30 – 11:30
📍 Fergs Kayaks, Okahu Bay
Who it’s for:
- Ages 8 – 12
- Ages 12 – 16
(These may shift slightly depending on interest)
What to Expect
This session will be fun, relaxed, and practical.
- Time on the water across different craft
- Introduction to paddling skills
- Games and challenges
- A chance to meet others and get a feel for the group
No pressure, no expectations. Just a good session on the water.
What to Bring
- Swimwear or clothes you don’t mind getting wet
- Towel
- Warm change of clothes
- Shoes that can get wet
- Water bottle
A wet suit may not be the best as we'll be doing quite a lot of beach activity if we have lots of kids in attendance.
We’ll provide all paddling equipment and safety gear.
Register Your Interest
If you’re keen to come along, please complete the online Activity Medical and Risk Disclosure Form to register your interest - Please write TASTER DAY for the Group Name:👉 Register for the Paddle Academy Taster Session
Or get in touch:
📧 admin@fergskayaks.co.nz
Where This Is Going
The long-term goal is to create something that supports real progression.
We’re looking at:
- Structured levels that kids can move through
- A badge system to track progress and recognise milestones
- Clear pathways from beginner through to advanced paddling
We’re not pretending we’ve got it fully built yet.
We just want to start, learn, and build it properly with the people who are part of it.
From First Paddle to Performance
This isn’t just about participation.
It’s about creating a pathway that can lead into:
- AIMS Games preparation
- Surf ski paddling
- Junior surf off-season training
- Longer-term high performance paddling
We’ve already got the equipment to support this, including Nelo surf skis, the same style of boats used in AIMS Games competition.
If kids want to take it further, we want to be able to support that.
Who It’s For
We see this growing across a few key groups:
- Kids from Iti Adventures who want to keep going
- Local families looking for something consistent and active
- Intermediate school students training towards AIMS Games
- Junior surf athletes wanting structured off-season training
When Sessions Will Run
We’re planning to run small, focused sessions:
Max 8 participants per session
Winter Schedule:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday
15:45 – 17:15 - Saturday & Sunday
09:30 – 11:00
(Summer may expand from there)
The Most Important Thing
Above everything else, this needs to be fun.
If kids enjoy it, they’ll come back. If they come back, they’ll improve. And from there, everything else grows.
This Is Just the Start
We’re at the beginning of this.
Not everything is defined yet, and that’s intentional. We want to build it with the people who are part of it.
If it sounds like something your child would enjoy, come along on Sunday and be part of shaping it.
We’re looking forward to seeing where it goes.