CanSurf 2025
28 Nov 2025
Annual Surf Camp 2025
CanSurf, our annual weekend surfing camp at Waihi Beach, remains one of the most anticipated events of the year for rangatahi impacted by the challenges of cancer. Thanks to the incredible CanSurf team, the weekend brings together sun, surf, and a strong sense of community. It’s a chance for rangatahi to step away from day-to-day pressures, try something new, make friends, and build confidence in a supportive environment.
Learning to Surf
With patient and skilled instructors, rangatahi learn how to read the waves, find their balance, and stand up on a board for the first time. It’s fun, physically engaging, and often a real boost to self-belief.
Alongside the action in the water, yoga sessions give everyone space to slow down, breathe, and look after their mental wellbeing. The programme reaches beyond the beach too, with hands-on fire station training that adds a spark of adventure and shows what they’re capable of.
"Wow, he has come home topped up with stories of CanSurf! I decided to see how he managed so let him be... not one call/txt from him! He couldn't pick a favourite thing about camp... he loved it all!
"Thank you so much for this opportunity. The Canteen team are incredible human beings making a difference in lives of young people on a journey of discovery/recovery. I am truely grateful for the careful planning involved.
"It was nice for him to put some faces to names of other members. It creates a sense of belonging which is essential for growth."
- Guardian of Auckland based young person.
Rangatahi Connections
What makes CanSurf truly special is the way it brings people together. The camp isn’t just about surfing; it’s about friendship, shared experiences, and finding strength in a community that understands. For many, the weekend becomes a turning point - a reminder that they don't have to face cancer alone.
