Big Buddy recently welcomed eight Auckland based boys currently waiting for a Big Buddy match to the Skipperi Boating Event at Gulf Harbour. Any nerves made way for pure enthusiasm as the boys headed out onto the Hauraki Gulf with experienced Skipperi skippers and a selection of Big Buddies for the day.
This annual event, kindly sponsored by partners Skipperi, provides boys on our waitlist an opportunity to engage with good men while learning new skills and having fun. Arriving with various levels of boating and fishing experience, the boys were eager to get stuck into the task at hand.
Once they found a good spot, out came the fishing rods and bait. One boat hit the jackpot, catching two snapper while the other boats settled for a few nibbles. Whilst the fishing was fun, driving the boats was a crowd favourite – driving lessons come early out on the water! According to one nine-year-old boy, “it’s just like driving a car.”
Arriving back at Skipperi HQ, it was clear some fast friendships were made and core memories created. The boys shared stories and big smiles over lunch, quickly establishing a boy’s club, no adults allowed! Little did they know, one more surprise was in store before they headed home.
To cap off a great day, each boy got to take their very own fishing rod home. These were kindly donated by Marine Concierge, with flasher rigs donated by Burnsco. The boys faces lit up, with more than one boy leaping out of their seat to celebrate. Who knows, next time they bring out their rod, it might be alongside their new Big Buddy.
Skipperi is transforming how New Zealanders enjoy boating. As a boat-sharing company, they make boating simpler and more affordable, providing an easy way to explore the breathtaking waters of the Hauraki Gulf and beyond. With hassle-free boat rentals, Skipperi ensures that boating becomes accessible and enjoyable, changing the way people experience affordable and enjoyable boat trips. Find out more about Skipperi by visiting our website: www.skipperi.nz
Right now there are around 8,000 boys in New Zealand without fathers in their lives. These boys are navigating the challenges of life without the steady hand of a father to guide them.
With your help, Big Buddy can continue to match young boys with good men to offer friendship, support and a good male role model to look up to.
With 130 young boys currently on our waitlist, your support today is needed more than ever.
Your donation will help build confidence and resilience in the lives of boys whose fathers are not around.
