Kaua‘i youth learn stand-up paddle boarding

PO‘IPU — Youth from Kaua‘i Team Challenge’s Kukui Malamalama Mentoring Program received stand-up paddleboarding lessons from Po‘ipu Beach Surf School, states a press release.

The mentoring program has existed on the island since 2002 and matches up individuals who volunteer as mentors to island youth between the ages of 9 and 17. Mentors meet one on one with their matched youth and the organization provides a monthly event excursion in the community to unite all the mentors and youth in the program, states the release.

This month, the event was stand-up paddleboarding, with professional lessons contributed to mentors and youth by locally-owned-and-operated Po‘ipu Beach Surf School.

The mentoring program and surf school teamed up when owner-instructor Doug Muraoka approached Kaua‘i Team Challenge President Mason Chock, asking him what he could do to help in the community.

Chock told Muraoka about the mentoring program’s monthly outings and how the mentoring program and surf school could partner.

Telissa Agbulos brought her niece Jordyn to be introduced to the mentoring program. She described her first time ocean stand-up paddleboarding with a smile as “Fun. I tried to stand up and decided I was going to kneel board.”

Michelle Takashima, Kukui Malamalama Mentoring Program coordinator, says the monthly events are “things that most island kids usually don’t get to do on a typical basis such as paddling, kayaking, tubing and going to our ropes course in Waipa.”

To refer a child or become a mentor contact Takashima at 652-6432. Visit kauaiteamchallenge.com for more details.