About the Program

This project is run as a weekly extramural activity for disadvantaged youth from one of the local schools. Our main goal is to keep the children occupied and off the streets after school. The project promotes physical activity as a positive outlet for energy.

Volunteers help us teach the youth valuable life lessons through adventure activities, teamwork, educational classes, and sports such as swimming and surfing. The children that cannot swim yet, receive swimming lessons. Those that have already mastered this vital skill, are given the opportunity to learn how to surf.

For most of the children this is the highlight of their day, which is why we also use it as an incentive for them to do well in school, giving them a better chance at a brighter future. Those that turn up for school every day, behave themselves in class and study hard, will rewarded by going swimming or surfing after school. As the project is used as an incentive, we have noticed a drastic decrease in the drop-out rate for these students from a local school.

Through community involvement and training, youth who excel in this program also have access to employment opportunities. For example, a child who completed both our swim and surf program through dedication and passion for the sport has secured an apprenticeship in board-shaping with a local company.

This is a great way for the volunteers to gain experience working with children and groups, and learn new outdoor activities like surfing – volunteers receive teaching training and surfing lessons so they can help teach the children.

*Please note that May through to September are our winter months and it can get quite chilly with an average temperature ranging from 5 degrees Celsius at night to 15 degrees Celsius during the day. So, please make sure to pack enough warm clothes if you plan your trip in that period.*