Ukrainian children learn to wave surf in Koksijde

The refugees are received in Koksijde, follow lessons in an OKAN class, and now also get a chance to take a sports lesson in surf club Windekind. They do wave surfing there all year round, but the Ukrainian youngsters learn more than that.

“That’s the reason for the initiation,” says instructor Jo Ruga. “To integrate and feel good at school and in the sports clubs, and also to feel good.”

Fun is also a must

†It is not only important that they learn the language and integrate into our society, but of course they can also have a little fun,” says Eddy Caluwaerts of the GO Atheneum Veurne Centrum. “They come from a particularly difficult situation in Ukraine. We regularly do outdoor activities such as this water sports day, or a visit to the bakery museum or a visit to the market.”

Many of the Ukrainian teenagers would also like a summer job this summer. Who knows, they might even buy a surfboard after the initiation lessons.