Encouraging people of Māori and Pasifika descent to participate in surfing, but it’s not the end goal.
“Best programme, awesome coaches, support and leadership, great whanau atmosphere, learning surfing and safety in the water. Besides, it was absolutely healing!”
– Student Participant of PIPI Pathways
The Story of PIPI Surfmate
Who is Kaylib Heke?
Kaylib Heke - Level 2 Qualified ISA & SNZ Surf Coach, Founder of PIPI Surfmate
PIPI Surfmate - a new kaupapa Māori surf school - was founded by Kaylib Heke, a self taught surfer of 10+ years who is now a Level 2 qualified ISA and SNZ surf coach. PIPI Surfmate is the outcome of Kaylib's strong belief in the healing power of surfing and a desire to share his knowledge with others, especially those who need spiritual or mental support or who have experienced hardship or who come from higher deprivation communities.
"Surfing has taught me several things - how to be patient, the importance of finding balance within myself, and seizing the opportunities, not just floating along as this leads to nowhere. Surfing teaches us about ourselves, and life in general. For me these are invaluable life lessons,” says Kaylib.
Why he started PIPI Surfmate and who his school targets
Participants of PIPI Pathways, Sunset Beach (Port Waikato), May 2022
PIPI Surfmate's main purpose is the development of a lifelong love for surfing among entire family units.
“Surfing can not only provide physical health benefits, it has therapeutic qualities that have capability to change mindsets which can lead to higher levels of life satisfaction, more positive emotions and better relationships - with others and with oneself,” says Kaylib.
While PIPI Surfmate programmes target Māori and Pasifika kids, teenagers, and young adults (in response to evidence suggesting there is a lack of culturally relevant active recreation programmes for Māori and Pasifika people), the PIPI Surfmate programmes are open to anyone who wants to try surfing and feels that learning surfing through "te ao Māori" (the Māori view of the world) will be highly beneficial for them.
Learning to Surf Through the Lens of te ao Māori and How it Helps Whānau in Various Aspects of Their Lives
NZ surfing icon Daniel Kereopa with the participants of PIPI Pathways, Sunset Beach (Port Waikato), May 2022
Being culturally relevant
PIPI Pathway's 5-week pilot programme began as a partnership between Kaylib Heke and Daniel Kereopa of DK Surf School NZ. It was the first surf programme run in a uniquely Māori way.
PIPI Pathways offer weekly physical activity surf sessions in the water and surf skate sessions on land. The programme was brought to life thanks to funding from Tu Manawa Active Aotearoa.
The fund has not only helped with renting surfboards, wetsuits and leashes, it has also enabled PIPI Surfmate to partner with other male and female Māori coaches.
This has proven to be fundamental to the successful incorporation of Māori cultural principles into the teaching style.
What Exactly Does Incorporating Te Ao Māori into the Surf Lessons Look Like?
Wai Puna
Based on the Wai Puna Model, a theory of Māori water safety developed by Dr Chanel Phillips (Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi), a local kaumatua (“a respected tribal elder of either gender in a Māori community) comes and opens the programme with a blessing.
Whakapapa
Surf lessons involve acknowledgment of the whakapapa ("history") of the beach. Under the guidance of the instructor, students pay their respects to the tipuna ("ancestors") and tangata whenua ("people of the land"). They make themselves known to the iwi hapu ("community") before heading into the Moana ("ocean").
Mātauranga
Coaches share mātauranga, the knowledge of the water that they have acquired over the years, with the participants. The coaches provide the group with the key surfing fundamentals, such as how to catch waves, how waves are made, how to read the ocean and understand the wave sets, how the current works, and more.
Tikanga
Then the coaches share tikanga, which is how to apply knowledge in the water. This includes conduct in the water, etiquette, respecting tangata whenua (locals), being mindful in the water, learning to smile, being confident, staying safe, and most of all having fun.
Hospitality, kindness, and a sense of belonging
One of the most important Te Ao Māori elements was the creation of a warm atmosphere for the young participants so that they can be the best versions of themselves. Hospitality provided by the instructors was also very important as it helped create a non-judgmental atmosphere where all other participants could feel safe and like they were part of a family in which everyone is fulfilling an important mission.
The degree to which te ao Māori resonated with the participants is illustrated in the participants’ feedback to the programme:
“Our leaders for this course create an atmosphere to be a part of something special. We live and come from different backgrounds. We all vary in age and ethnicity. But we are welcomed and the space feels like it belongs to us and each lesson is simply returning home, even when the venue changes. Atmosphere is warm and encouraging, hugs and smiles all around and at the same time you can be yourself. Sit silently if you wanted to and it would be okay. It’s important to feel emotionally and physically safe too and if the vibe is right, you can feel like you belong.”
- Student Participant of PIPI Pathways
One of the parents of a child participant stated that she hopes the programme can be made available to more people of various age groups, not only to the kids and young adults, as this is a great family oriented course.
Another participant said: "[I] Appreciate it [the way the PIPI Pathways programme was run] more than you’ll ever know and Sunday is the highlight of my week seeing you all and being a part of this programme."
Another parent of a child participant said: "I have seen my daughter go from being afraid of the water to having so much confidence. She said she will give up every other sport just to do surfing."
Surf Skating as an Integral Part of PIPI Pathways
PIPI Pathways included not only lessons in the water, but also surf-skating sessions in the skate park.
What is surf-skating?
Surf skating is surfing on the street on special surf skateboards.
Surf skateboards have a special front truck that allows a rider to replicate the movements that are similar to movements on an actual wave.
Why surf-skating is a key to becoming a good surfer
Practicing turns on the ground is crucial to the progress of beginner surfers as it allows them to build muscle memory that will help them perform frontside and backside turns on the waves.
Surf-skating sessions that were part of the pilot programme
During the previous 5-week programme, people registered through the website and attended the skate surf session once a week.
Participants didn't need to bring anything. They only had to wear comfortable sports clothing. At the lesson, they would get skate boards, protection, and helmets. The head coach divided people into groups and moved from one group to another, giving everyone useful tips.
The lessons took place in Barry Curtis Park, which is equipped with ramps and long and wide flat grounds that are perfect for the beginner sessions.
Pilot Programme Success
A large number of registrants
The programme received over 420 expressions of interest in the first three days of advertising the programme on social media. Due to lack of time and budget, only 80 participants received an invitation to participate in the programme. 63 of them completed the programme. 90% of those who completed the programme highly rated the instructors and shared their appreciation for the programme's concept.
The large number of registrations shows there is great interest among the identified communities in getting mental and spiritual support while learning to enjoy new regular physical activities - in this case surfing- which proved to be perfect for this purpose.
“These guys are awesome. The kids learnt so much and keep asking when their next lesson will be. Highly recommend it.”
– A parent of a child participant about PIPI Pathways
The Future of the Surfmate’s Surf Development Programme
PIPI Surfmate hopes that with sufficient resources and funding, future surf development programmes like PIPI Pathways will be developed in a similar manner. Several factors will require a different approach during the planning and implementation stages.
For example, a bigger schedule and a lesson booking system will need to be developed, along with the new more powerful website management system, so that more people can be accepted into the programme for the spring/summer season and can also choose the time that is most convenient to them.
