Across the country there are a number of organisations that are focussed on helping those less fortunate. Of those, Waves for Change are among a group that looks to support marginalized children and young adults by bringing them together to share in the stoke of surfing.
In celebration of Freedom Day, Waves for Change hosted a surf contest at Monwabisi Beach that involved 100 surfers from Khayelitsha and Masiphumelele townships, and it rocked…
Waves for Change founding member, Tim Conibear, reported the following from another special day for all those involved.
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WAVES FOR CHANGE FREEDOM DAY SURFING COMPETITION
Some would argue that surfing is the purest expression of freedom, so what better way to celebrate 20 years of democracy in South Africa than a surf festival.
On the 27th of April, 100 surfers from Khayelitsha and Masiphumelele came together at Monwabisi Beach to take part in an Under 11 and Under 15 tag-team surfing competition. The surfers were all part of the Waves for Change programme, which aims to provide extra social support to marginalized children and young adults and to turn previously disused township beaches into safe spaces for play and skills development.
3-foot surf and warm sunshine greeted the contestants as heats got underway at 10:30am. First up were the Under 11’s who surfed the small shorebreak in the lee of the breakwater. The kwaito and spaza blaring from the sound system ensured the beach slowly filled up and by noon, as the Under 15’s took to the main peak, a sizeable crowd had gathered.
The incoming tide brought with it a few cooking lefts and rights and an opportunity for the senior members to showcase the talent that is emerging from two of South Africa’s newest surfing communities. Each successful ride was greeted with cheers from the gantry, but when Mikey February, who’d paddled out anonymously to the left of the main peak, pulled off an air reverse, the entire beach erupted. It was a special moment on another memorable day at Monwabisi Beach.
Mikey February impressed in (above) and out the water (below).
Following the completion of the days’ events an awards ceremony was held. In the spirit of the day, medals were provided to every participant courtesy of ASP Africa. Over 300 meals were dished out by the Waves for Change soup kitchen before a final celebratory freesurf rounded off the first Waves for Change Freedom Day Surfing Competition.
Waves for Change would like to extend their thanks to all who attended, to the judging team of Colin, Luis, Diego and Glen who all volunteered their time, and to the continued support of sponsors and partners who make our work possible.
We’ll see you all next time!
Learn more about the Waves For Change programme, or how to get involved or donate on www.waves-for-change.org
Nice work, Waves For Change. Keep it up.
Is this inclusive of the minority marginalised groups ? – I think not !-
Or, is it only for the so ‘called’ marginalised black majority groups ? –
Hopefully, one day your country will see everybody and not one specific group !!!-
At least all of this is ‘politically’ correct !!! –
C’mon my surf brothers we are a brother hood should not not see color !!!-