South Africa Surf and Community Volunteers

The surf project is located on the white sandy beaches of Muizenburg near Cape Town. The aim of the project is to get children from disadvantaged backgrounds off the streets, away from negative influences and to give them something worthwhile and constructive to do with their time whilst having an amazing and enjoyable experience in the process. The project is well known for working alongside the community and for teaching children to surf who would not otherwise be able to afford to do so. In addition the centre advises on healthy eating and fitness programmes including snorkelling, football and hiking, all aiming to help South Africa's next generation be as fit and active as possible.

To start with you will receive surf coaching and get up to speed with the core skills of riding a wave. You'll also be introduced to the local area and get the opportunity to visit where the children you are helping live. Along with your own surf lessons you will be helping the centre to prepare for the surfing lessons for the children, including activity plans and equipment. You will then help the children when they arrive to get suited up and select the right surf boards for them.

When you are ready it's off to the water to help teach the children to surf! Usually you will have no more than two children to look after in the water at one time and there will be an experienced instructor nearby on hand. You’ll be working roughly 10am until roughly 5pm with a break for lunch between 1pm and 2pm; the children arrive at the surf project at around 3pm ready for their lessons.

On your first day you will be met at the airport and taken to the volunteer house in Fish Hoek, which will take about 45 minutes. Then it’s time for a detailed orientation, an evening meal and sleep!

For rest of your first week you will get to know the local area and learn how to ride the waves like a true surfer. The beach at Muizenberg has been specifically chosen due to its great waves for beginners. While you may learn quite quickly how to make falling off a board look stylish don't worry, most people are standing and riding their first wave within an hour or two. 

The weekend is yours to do as you please. You certainly won’t run out of activities to keep yourself occupied in the surrounding areas. With places like Table Mountain, Cape Point, Kirstenbosch botanical gardens and Boulders beach just a short distance from your accommodation, you’ll be spoilt for choice. You could also catch a cab to the local shopping mall to catch a movie, chill out in coffee shops, surf the internet or clothes shop!

Now that you’ve learnt the basics and are comfortable riding the waves your days will be split between working on your skills and getting involved with teaching the children how to surf. Your mornings will be spent perfecting your style and getting to know more about the tides and currents to give you a better all-round knowledge.

After a break for lunch you’ll help the team prepare for the arrival of the local children. They start to arrive at about 3pm so it will be all hands on deck to prepare activities and equipment ready for the lessons to start. Then it’s time to suit up again and get the wetsuits ready for when the children arrive. A quick check to make sure that they all have their wetsuits and have the right sized board and then it’s time to hit the beach for a pre-surf warm-up. After the surf lessons (about 5pm) you will be helping to rinse out the wetsuits. Your weekend time will again be your free time to explore or relax.

Your final day.
Once you have said goodbye to all your new friends and packed away any last minute souvenirs you’ll travel back to the airport. Your return transfer from Fish Hoek to Cape Town International Airport is not included within your project fee but our regular transfer company will be able to arrange the journey back for you for roughly US$35 / 250 Rand and is easily arranged in country.