By Project Sunwave Team
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April Highlights: Growing Stronger Every Session
Introduction
As the autumn winds rolled in, Project Sunwave rode the waves of momentum built in March and pushed even further in April. Thanks to the dedication of our team, the energy of our youth, and the generosity of our community, April became one of our most active and impactful months yet.
Full Speed Ahead: School Holiday Sessions
Throughout the April school holidays, including the Easter weekend, we ran daily beach and ocean sessions, adding 15 extra sessions to our usual weekly program schedule. The consistent exposure to the ocean, structured activities, and supportive coaching made a visible difference in the confidence and skills of our young participants.
Welcoming New Waves: 15 New Vonk Kids
One of our proudest moments this month was welcoming 15 new children into our Vonk program, designed for younger participants. Their interest was immediately caught by our Nipper module, which blends their love for friendly competition with essential swim and water safety skills. At Project Sunwave, we are not a competitive sports club — we are an ocean therapy-based intervention, where effort, courage, and participation are celebrated at every turn.
By the Numbers: April at a Glance
35+ new children participated across our various programs
15+ open-to-all sessions held during the school holidays
5 donated wetsuits received, giving more kids the chance to stay warm and safe
1 donated surfboard added to our growing equipment pool
Average session attendance: 20+ children per session
Session total for April: 30+ sessions (standard + holiday programming combined).
Challenges on the Shore
Our biggest hurdle in April was transport — many of the children we serve live more than 3 kilometers from the beach and, for safety reasons, cannot walk there alone, especially our youngest participants, aged 7–10. Currently, we manage transport by fetching and carrying children in a single SUV, an hour-long process that limits our available session time. We also faced wetsuit shortages for smaller children as cooler temperatures set in, managed through rotating wetsuits during sessions. A dedicated van or taxi bus, and more child-sized wetsuits, remain top priorities.
Looking Forward: Plans for May
Securing funding for the Sunwave Clubhouse, a home base for our programs and a safe gathering space for our kids.
Training our first cohort of youth coaches, building leadership pathways from within.
Progressing our Vonk kids through the next stages of their Nipper module.
Conclusion
We believe in the power of small ripples to create great waves of change. Every session, every child, and every moment of shared stoke moves us closer to a stronger, safer, more connected coastal community.
