Some of the world's top aquatic athletes have taken time out of an international competition to help Kiwi kids suffering from cystic fibrosis.
They're here for the Ultimate Waterman competition which involves surfing, paddleboarding and swimming.
With a little bit of help, five-year-old Oli Bradley rode a perfectly sized Orewa wave.
For a kid who has spent a lot of time in medical treatment, it was a sight for his mother's sore eyes.
The young cystic fibrosis sufferers are getting the benefit of expert help in the water from Kala Alexander, a man who's more commonly found on much bigger waves than this.
Alexander is a regular competitor at the big wave surf contests in Hawaii, but today he's giving his time to encourage the children to enjoy the sea as much as he does.
"I just want to have them surfing and experience surfing like every other kid in the world," he says.
It's not only a chance to give confidence to children living with the genetic disease, but it's proven natural therapy too.
Cystic Fibrosis NZ National Information Coordinator Vicky Tyler says the salt water and the salt air helps with breathing and physical activity helps keep their lungs healthy.
Today there's a 2m rule in place for kids who suffer from cystic fibrosis -- that's because they can actually pass on bugs to kids who suffer from the same disease.
"It can make them quite sick and if they need antibiotics they have to go into hospital for two weeks at a time," says Hannah Wilson, Cystic Fibrosis NZ Grants and Events Coordinator.
It was an experience all about making the kids happy, healthy and able to forget their illness, if just for a moment. It certainly seemed to have worked for young Oli.
Newshub.
