Beyond the Lagoon: How Club Mer Helped 14 Young People Discover Confidence, Purpose and the Ocean

For several months, fourteen young people embarked on a journey that would take them far beyond the classroom. They learned to swim, to snorkel and to identify marine ecosystems. They explored mangroves, paddled through lagoons and discovered the incredible biodiversity that surrounds Mauritius. But perhaps most importantly, they learned something about themselves.

Through Club Mer, an educational initiative developed by Reef Conservation and inspired by a model created by Shoals Rodrigues, fourteen young people aged between 14 and 17 stepped into a world where learning happened through experience, discovery and connection with nature. Supported by Veranda Paul & Virginie Hotel & Spa, the initiative was designed for young people outside the formal education system, offering them a unique opportunity to reconnect with learning through the sea.

What unfolded over the course of several months was far more than an environmental education initiative. It was a story of growth, resilience and transformation.

Learning Through Experience

On paper, Club Mer is a 28 to 32-week course combining theory and practical learning to introduce young people to marine ecosystems and the importance of protecting them.

It is much more than that. From the very first sessions, educators could sense hesitation. Some participants were quiet and reserved. Others lacked confidence in unfamiliar environments. Many had never experienced the ocean in such an immersive way.

The first outings often brought a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The lagoon, vast and unfamiliar, could seem intimidating.

But little by little, things began to change. The young person who preferred to stay silent started asking questions. The participant who was afraid of the water slowly gained the confidence to enter it. Week after week, barriers began to fall.

According to Sarafina Laprovidence, Community Coordinator at Reef Conservation, these personal transformations were among the most rewarding aspects of the initiative. "What is remarkable is not only what they learn, but who they become. At the beginning, some were hesitant, but through learning and experience they gradually gained confidence."

Discovering New Skills and New Possibilities

As the weeks went by, participants acquired a range of practical skills connected to the marine environment. They learned how to swim, use a compass, understand the basics of navigation, apply basic first aid, identify dangerous marine animals, carry out search techniques and practise snorkelling safely. These technical skills were important, but they represented only part of the learning experience.

Each activity became an opportunity to build confidence, overcome fears and develop a stronger sense of independence.

A kayaking excursion through the mangroves offered one such moment. As paddles moved quietly through the water, participants explored their surroundings with curiosity and enthusiasm. Afterwards, they eagerly exchanged stories about their experience, sharing what had surprised them and the new things they had discovered along the way.

The first snorkelling sessions brought another set of challenges. Some participants hesitated before entering the water. Others needed reassurance before putting their faces beneath the surface.

zYet once they emerged, the excitement was impossible to miss. For many, it was their first close encounter with the underwater world. Fish, corals and seagrass meadows transformed from concepts discussed during lessons into living ecosystems they could experience firsthand.

Building Confidence Through Challenge

Club Mer also introduced the young people to experiences that pushed them beyond their comfort zones. A marine biology dissection workshop initially generated nervous reactions, but curiosity quickly replaced apprehension. Informal conversations between activities created opportunities for participants to share their thoughts, ambitions and concerns.

Over time, something powerful began to emerge. A group that had started as individuals gradually became a community. Friendships developed. Trust grew. Participants supported one another through challenges and celebrated each other's successes. What began as a training course evolved into a shared journey. For educators and coordinators, witnessing this transformation was one of the most meaningful outcomes of Club Mer.

A Celebration of Growth

The journey culminated on 18 April with a closing ceremony that brought together participants, educators and families. The event marked the end of several months of learning, but it also celebrated something deeper: personal growth.

Parents had the opportunity to discover how far their children had come. Many were struck by the confidence, maturity and enthusiasm displayed by the young participants.

For the educators who had accompanied them throughout the journey, the ceremony was a powerful reminder of the impact experiential learning can have on young people.

They recalled the early days, the uncertainties and the fears. They spoke about the determination participants had shown and the progress they had made.

Some young people expressed an interest in pursuing careers linked to the ocean and marine conservation. Others left Club Mer with something less tangible, but equally valuable: a renewed belief in themselves.

Their Stories, In Their Own Words

The impact of Club Mer is perhaps best reflected in the words of the young people themselves. For Thomas Douce, the experience was an opportunity to push beyond his limits. "The Club Mer experience allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and face my fears. Today, I can swim, snorkel and I understand the importance of the ecosystems around me."

Discovery is what stood out most for Dwayne Antoinnette. "I loved discovering new environments and swimming with fish. It was a very good experience." For Lona Babet, the journey marked a personal triumph. "I was afraid of deep water. Today, I can go into the water freely. I am proud of myself."

Together, their stories capture the true essence of Club Mer far more powerfully than any description ever could.

More Than Environmental Education

At its core, Club Mer is about introducing young people to the marine environment and helping them understand the importance of protecting it.

But the initiative also demonstrates something broader. When young people are given opportunities to explore, learn and challenge themselves in supportive environments, they develop skills that extend far beyond environmental knowledge. They build confidence, resilience, curiosity and a stronger sense of belonging.

For the fourteen participants who completed this journey, the sea became more than a place to learn about nature. It became a place where they discovered new possibilities, new friendships and new confidence in their own abilities.

Perhaps that is Club Mer's greatest achievement: not simply inspiring future ocean stewards, but helping young people discover their own potential while forging a lasting connection with the natural world around them.