A year-long partnership will help ‘Children of the Sea’ provide local children with access to surf, ocean-based learning, leadership development and practical support at Natadola Beach.

A young participant from Children of the Sea carries his surfboard along Natadola Beach, Fiji, where the programme helps local children build confidence, ocean awareness and leadership skills through surfing.

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Natadola, Fiji, Thursday, 18 June 2026: Children of the Sea will receive year-long support from InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa through a new partnership designed to help local children access surf, ocean-based learning and leadership development at Natadola Beach.

The partnership will provide practical support for the programme, including weekly lunch packs, transport assistance, First Aid training opportunities for members of the Children of the Sea team, and participation support for five children from nearby Sanasana Village.

Grand Pacific Hotel Suva and Holiday Inn Suva will also support the initiative through the ‘Cup of Kindness’ coffee sale, with proceeds directed to Children of the Sea.

Founded by Inia Nakalevu and Lea Chin, Children of the Sea uses surfing as a pathway for social change, helping young people stay active, build friendships, develop teamwork and communication skills, and strengthen their connection to the ocean. The programme began in September 2024 with four boys and has since grown to include ten girls and thirteen boys aged 6 to 16.

For InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, the partnership reflects a commitment to supporting the communities connected to Natadola, where the ocean is not only central to the visitor experience, but also part of everyday life, culture and opportunity for local families.

The initiative also supports IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Journey to Tomorrow responsible business plan, which encourages hotels to make a positive difference for people, communities and the planet. For the resort, that commitment begins locally, through practical action that helps young people feel safe, supported and inspired by the ocean around them.

“Natadola is more than a destination. It is a place where community, culture and the ocean are deeply connected,” said Lachlan Walker, Regional General Manager, Fiji and Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts.

“As a locally owned resort, we have a responsibility to support initiatives that create meaningful opportunities for young people in the communities around us. Children of the Sea is helping children build confidence, discipline and connection through the ocean, and this partnership allows us to contribute in a practical and sustained way.

“For us, this is about more than giving back. It is about standing alongside a community-led programme that is helping Fiji’s next generation see the ocean as a place of learning, belonging and possibility.”

As a 100% locally owned FNPF property, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa continues to look for meaningful ways to give back to local communities and support programmes that create opportunities for Fiji’s next generation.

A Children of the Sea participant learns the foundations of surfing at Natadola Beach, supported by mentorship, encouragement and ocean-based learning.

Lea Chin, Co-Founder of Children of the Sea, said the partnership would help the programme continue to create consistent opportunities for children.

“At Children of the Sea, surfing is the starting point, but the impact goes much further. The children are learning teamwork, water confidence, communication and care for the ocean. They are also building friendships and discovering what they are capable of.

“We are grateful for the support from InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa because it helps with the practical things that make each session possible. When children have transport, meals and a safe environment to learn, they can arrive ready to participate, grow and enjoy the ocean.”