Empowering and transforming troubled lives with SURFING!

Live for More Charitable Trust was founded in 2015 by Krista Davis, who had a dream and a vision to use surfing as a means to help troubled youth. She wanted these troubled young people - who were so full of potential - to realise their true potential and discover they CAN change and have a fulfilling life.

Live for More works with extremely disengaged and vulnerable young men between 17-25 who are caught up in lifestyles of drug and alcohol abuse, crime, prison, violence and gangs. We use surfing as a way to engage with these troubled young men, building relationships and trust with them outside the four walls of an office. All the young men also receive 1-1 counselling and support to achieve their goals.

We run a programme called Tai Wātea, which translates to 'Waves of Freedom'. The Tai Wātea surf therapy programme consists of surfing and other physical activities in the morning, followed by lunch, cultural work and clinical group therapy sessions in the afternoon. The young people learn their pepeha which enables them to grow in their identity and confidence. They also learn a haka which they perform at their graduation. The clinical group therapy sessions consist of educational discussions, life skills, reflections on their own lives, goal-setting, as well as motivational speakers who come and share their personal journeys of change and transformation. Tai Wātea empowers the young people to see that change IS possible, enables them to change their mindset and shows them how they are in control of their futures.

Surfing allows them to try something new while also building their confidence and belief in self. Through learning to surf, they begin to see they can accomplish and achieve things in life they never thought possible.

Some feedback from Tai Wātea graduates:

“Surfing and being out in the ocean – it’s just like you’re free, like you’re flying. It clears everything. There’s no hate out there, no sorrow. It’s like if you had a hole in your heart, go for a surf and boom the water fills your heart up.” -17 year old male

“Knowing that I have someone to talk to and knowing that they understand where I’m coming from has helped me. I’ve gone to other counsellors but have never gone in-depth. Best counselling sessions I’ve ever had.” -19 year old male

“Thank you very much for getting me unstuck in life.” -19 year old male

“While I was doing the course and getting out on the water it made me realize, there’s heaps I can do. It’s made me realize that I’m better than this.” -21 year old male

“Before this course I wasn’t looking to a future, I was just looking to end my life. I didn’t really see any future for myself. Since doing this course, I’m loving life.” -21 year old male

“This course has helped me to express what I’m feeling with people that I trust.” -16 year old male

“It’s shown me that there is a purpose in life and that I can achieve things.” -17 year old male

“When I caught that first wave, it was amazing, it was a weight off my shoulders and it put a smile on my face. I was just smiling for me and thinking “I’m happy”. -21 year old male

“This course has made me believe in myself and what I’m capable of and what I can do. It’s even shown me some of the talents that I didn’t know I had.” -16 year old male

“This programme has taught me to trust others, surf, and never forget who I am and that it’s never too late to change.” - 19 year old male