Resort partnership boosts Children of the Sea programme

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 10 girls and 13 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 IHG Hotels & Resorts regional general manager, Fiji and Pacific, Lachlan Walker.

“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.”

Source: IHG Hotels & Resorts