Teen's surf thrill aims to inspire

Te Kopa Kopa, 15, getting a buzz from surfing. Photo / Supplied

Alongside stars that shone at the Halberg Sports Awards last month was a guest appearance by a less well known but no less inspiring Kaikohe teenager, 15-year-old Te Kopa Kopa.

Normally confined to a wheelchair, Te Kopa's first and joyous surfboard ride at Sandy Bay in Tutukaka late last year was screened to a national television audience during the ceremony to showcase work being done by the Flight Centre Foundation's Halberg Surf Programme.

The programme creates opportunities for physically disabled young New Zealanders to experience surfing at a series of beach events held over the summer.

Te Kopa, along with his father Taka Kopa, his older brother Paerangi and teacher Tomasi Macendru, participated in the foundation's Surf Day at Sandy Bay in Tutukaka. The event was assisted by parents, the surfing community and volunteers including from Northland-based Flight Centre offices.

Before the ride, Te Kopa admitted he was scared of the water but was trying "to conquer his fear".

Afterwards, he said: "It's wicked. It was only my first ride but I didn't want to get off. I've never been so fast in my life."

Te Kopa is also a basketball player and is anticipating the arrival of a sports wheelchair, also subsidised by the Halberg Trust, that will allow him to compete in the sport at school and in the community.

"What I love about sport is that you get to meet new people, make new friends," he said.

Since Te Kopa's starring role on TV through the Halberg Awards, his family hopes that sharing his joy with a national audience provides inspiration for other teenagers living with a disability.