Volunteer and Surfing

Surf Camp Volunteering

Are you passionate about surfing or always wanted to learn this amazing water sport? And have you ever thought about spending some time abroad? Then take your chance and become part of one of the surfing volunteer projects that are located in different parts of the world. These projects give you the chance to combine your interest in sports with the opportunity to be part of something great. Being a volunteer is not only perfect to get into contact with new people from all over the world, but it is also a great opportunity to challenge yourself and grow through the new experience. That sounds interesting to you? Continue reading and find out about the beautiful countries that offer you both surfing and volunteering.

Where can I work as a surfing volunteer?

What are important conditions for the perfect surfing spot? Right, the best spot to surf needs to offer everything such as the perfect wind direction and of course the best chance to catch the greatest waves. Take South Africa for example. Among surfers, the country’s coast is said to have some of the best surf locations worldwide and offers surf fun for beginners and professionals. And guess what: in the capital Cape Town, you will find different projects where your helping hands are more than needed.

Africa

• Ghana
• South Africa

Americas

• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Ecuador
• Panama
• Peru

Teaching how to surf in Cape Town

Some of the projects you are able to attend focus on teaching. Here, volunteers can be part of programs for underprivileged children and youth from disadvantaged families with a focus on surfing, swimming and kite surfing. Through sports, adventure activities, teamwork and educational classes, the children will be provided with valuable skills and they have a safe space to stay after school. As many families do not have the time to take care of their children, the projects’ aim is to get underprivileged children off the streets. As a volunteer in these projects, you will have different tasks, such as:

• Giving swim lessons
• Giving kitesurfing lessons (instructional seminars, safety demonstrations, practice with a training kite)
• Assisting in theoretical safety classes

You can see that you have different options to choose from but for every project surfing, swimming or kite surfing will be the main focus. It does not matter if you are a beginner, intermediate or consider yourself a surfing pro. Every project is more than happy to welcome you and provides you with lessons before you will teach the children yourself.

Teaching how to surf in Mossel Bay & Sedgefield

Cape Town is not the only surfing hotspot in South Africa. There are other projects located directly on the famous Garden Route, namely in the harbor town Mossel Bay and in the small and non-tourist town Sedgefield. The projects located in the areas also focus on surfing and the education of underprivileged children. If you love to ride waves and want to help children developing new skills, volunteering in these projects will be perfect for you. You will have different tasks from giving sports lessons to schooling assistance, as the projects’ aim is to give new opportunities and experiences to communities and their children. Volunteering tasks can be:

• Education and sports lessons (swimming, dance, math, literacy, surfing etc.)
• Play beach games with the children
• Renovation work in local communities
• Schooling assistance
• Give Oceanic and environmental educational classes

Marine and Environmental Conservation

You have already been to South Africa and are looking for a new place to explore? No problem at all. Why not join a volunteer project in Peru, Lobitos? Here, the focus is not exactly on surfing but more on the protection of the marine environment that provides surfers with extraordinary waves and perfect weather conditions. The plan is to make Lobitos a World Surfing Reserve (WSR) which will benefit both the local community and the environment as protecting the existing natural resources is vital to the coastal-marine ecosystem and biodiversity. Being part of this project requires you to bring specific skills, like a relevant university specialization or experiences in the field of conservation management, environmental or economics. Basic Spanish skills, good communication and multitasking skills will be very helpful and or course a great interest in sustainable development. These skills apply to you? Then check out the tasks you will have on this project:

• Research
• Participating in stakeholder engagement
• Writing of reports
• Identify new opportunities to promote the project

You like the project but you are worried that surfing is not included? Don’t be afraid, because in your free time you are able to attend surfing classes, go swimming and participate in many more activities that are all about water.