By Brianne Randle
Story Created: Mar 25, 2009 at 6:26 PM HDT
Story Updated: Mar 25, 2009 at 7:49 PM HDT
At Waikiki beach, there’s sand, surf and today plenty of firsts.
“I’m sure their heart is racing but excitement is in the air,” said Rudy King Jr, Surf Instructor.
Teens from Kalihi are learning how to surf.
“These kids have lived here all their lives but most of them have never surfed before,” said Ian Tapu, Susannah Wesley Youth Coordinator.
“It’s exciting, I’ve never surfed before and it will probably be a learning experience,” said Gernani Yutob, Kalihi teenager.
Organizers with the Susannah Wesley Community Center say it’s a lesson that can change a teens life, and help them to stay off the street. Something they’ve been working towards in the Kalihi Community for the past one-hundred years.
“I think, set them on the right track. They’re great kids, great hearts, they want to do so much with their lives ,they just need help pointing them to where they need to go,” said Tapu.
“Not everyone had a perfect upbringing so something like this is a treat for them,” said King.
Surfboards in hand, the teens hit the water.
“If tourists can do it then I can do it too,” said Max Raquedan, Kalihi teenager.
But as they say in surfing, sometimes you ride the wave, sometimes the wave rides you.
“Yeah 2, 3 a couple. It was fun,” said Raquedan.
Either way these teens rolled with the punches and got right back up and paddled out for more.
“We do fun things and teach them life skills without them knowing that they learn life skills,” said Tapu.
“Yeah of course, when stuff pushes you down, get back up, push harder, try harder,” said Raquedan.
A day many won’t soon forget.
“Catching waves is pretty good, it’s like the best feeling in the world,” said Yutob.
Duration : 0:2:16
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