The ocean … a safe space to have fun while building self-confidence.
Now, more than ever, surfing is being recognised as a popular sport for all genders, races and age groups, with mindsets shifting around women and sport in general. This has seen prominent organisations lending support to sports played by girls and women and events such as Girls Surf Day, hosted by Sisonke Surf Club, further fostering a love for the ocean and conservation.
Founded by a ‘family’ of passionate surfers, Sisonke Surf Club is a non-profit organisation that strives to empower, motivate and enhance the surfing skills of youngsters (in particular the African youth) by introducing surfing as a sport to first-time surfers through lessons and one-on-one support.
Sisonke, which means ‘we are together’, plays a vital role in engaging the community and parents through social outreach programmes like the fun-filled Girls Surf Day that is designed to promote the development of surfing as a sport in South Africa. The day typically features a presentation on water safety, followed by fun beach games such as sand hunt, open gates and soccer, along with a surf demonstration by surf coaches and learn-to-surf sessions. An integral part of the organisation’s social outreach is to educate and engage youngsters in ocean appreciation and conservation.
GIRLS SURF PROGRAMME
Through Girls Surf Day came the launch of Sisonke’s Girls Surf Programme – an initiative that further aims to empowering girls, especially those from disadvantaged communities, through surfing, thereby transforming grassroot surfers into future champions. Girls of colour residing in and around Durban who are interested in a future of surfing will be guided and mentored by the Sisonke Surf Club throughout their surfing journey. Selections to the programme are usually made at Girls Surf Day and weekend surf sessions and are based on interest, performance and overall commitment and love shown to the sport. Eligibility requirements include participants being aged between seven and 18, they must be able to float in the water or have basic swimming skills and they must be able to attend weekday and weekend training sessions.
With Covid regulations currently stipulating that no group surfing activities are allowed, no August dates have been set for now but, once things have returned to normal, small group events will take place on most weekends and all youngsters are welcome.
Both Girls Surf Day and the Girls Surf Programme are made possible through the continuous support of local sponsors, including Me and the Sea, Blue Betty Life, Point Surf Co, Earths Unfeigned, Ocean Republic, Surf School Durban, Aquelle Water, Sea Harvest, Surfing South Africa, Siyasindisa Academy and Logistical Solutions. Anyone interested in joining can contact Sisonke.
Details: [email protected], IG @sisonkeoutreach, FB @sisonkesurfclub, or phone Alvin: 083 259 8557.
