Surfpop

Why choose Surfpop?

Surfpop builds a sustainable future for children and youth growing up in South African township communities through surfing, education and life coaching. Surfing promotes the physical and mental wellbeing of the children, and combined with focused after-school education and life coaching, improves their school performance, guides them towards sustainable employment and promotes their role as ambassadors in their communities for living a healthy life, caring for and in touch with nature.

Website

www.surfpop.co.za

Community Photos

Selfie with the boys and other volunteers!

Reviews

If you want to open up to something completely new, mature and develop in a really short time and do something that really matters, this program is made for you.

I participated back in 2019 and still think about my time in Muizenberg very often. Daniel and the team are amazing: supportive, warm-hearted and successful with everything they built up in the previous years.

The cape town area is amazing, the trips with surfpop are fun, I always felt safe. The kids were so thankful for our support with homework and school stuff and it was great to see them developing and committing to building a life with perspective.

I can only recommend surfpop!

What was your funniest moment?

catching the waves with surfpop boy Bulumko

Pros

building values for life
supporting kids who are thankful
having fun with the team

Cons

during winter, weather and waves can be challenging for beginners

For a long time, I wanted to travel solo and visit South Africa. I felt like joining a volunteering program to meet people from different cultures and give something back to a local community. Through others I heard about Surfpop. Since I am a passionate surfer, this volunteering program was a perfect match.
I did a lot of research on the sustainability of the various volunteering programs. For me it was very important to only provide good things to the community and not be a part of volunteerism with negative implications. Surfpop matched with everything I was looking for. They provide help to disadvantaged kids in all aspects of life and they help them until they have a proper job or can go to college; until they have a future.

Cape Town is such an amazing city. It has the most beautiful coastline, beaches and waves. You can also hike the stunning hills and mountains. The city center has a vibrant social culture and many creative spots to go to. Great food and the surf is awesome. The combination of all these things makes Cape Town my favorite travel destination

I would recommend it to anyone who wants to do something meaningful and fun. Surfpop works on a sustainable future for the disadvantaged children. Everything about my trip was special. I loved helping the kids with their surfing and seeing them improve. The people I met were really nice, and I learned a lot about myself too. It was a great adventure.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

I think it is so good to realize that you are going to better children's lives by providing into this program. They are getting a change at a better future by having volunteers like you. Surfpop can grow because of you. I think that understanding this can really help ensure that your investment is worthwhile.

Pros

Having a great time with the local community and giving something back.
Learning how to surf or improve your surfing in Muizenberg
The amazing nature and wild life of Cape Town, like penguins and monkeys.

Cons

Muizenberg is a bit far from the city center of Cape Town but taking a taxi is easy and not expensive.
You can't go anywhere you want because some places are not that safe. But if you know where to go you will feel safe and free.
The surf can get a bit crowded in Muizenberg, but it will definitely motivate you to get better and take that priority spot!

Surfpop is an amazing program where I had a wonderful time for 2 month. All the founding and help is directly aimed towards supporting the children so your input has the maximum impact. It was a great experience working with the children, seeing them grow, learn and to develop and to collaborate with the superb Surfpop staff. There was plenty of time next to the program to improve your own surfing and to explore the amazing area around Capetown. Bongi and Celine also put a lot of effort into creating a fun time for the volunteers either with recommendations or by taking you an trips. I cant recommend the program enough.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

Not really surprising situation but its was amazing to be able to explore the breathtaking area around Capetown either individually or in the superbly organized trips with the Surfpop community. Bongi really puts a lot if effort into creating an unforgettable experience for everybody eager to help.

Pros

Great community
Fulfilling time spent with the kids in the program
Amazing trips to explore Capetown

Cons

Just remember that you are not in europe etc. anymore and need to be a little bit more cautious about your safety. But Surfpop does a great job supporting you.

The foundation combines a sport and helping kids, so it was the perfect combination for me! The people that work here are amazing and so nice. The days here start with a chilled breakfast and then a nice surf lesson in the water. After that you get lunch and you either go to the school to help the kids with their homework or you go surfing with the kids. After that you can do whatever you want, so it’s always a perfect day! And every volunteer here is really nice and welcoming, so I definitely recommend this programme!

Pros

Combination of sport and helping kids
You stay in a really beautiful place
The programme is really helpful for the kids they help

Cons

The travel was far for me
Not everywhere it’s safe, but it is easy to stay safe

During my time in South-Africa I really enjoyed being with surfpop! It is a great combination of discovering the region of cape-town and helping the kids out with school and surfing. They guide you around the place and when you are with the employees of surfpop you are safe!

They are doing a great job and I hope they keep on doing this to help out the kids in need!

The program is full of trips and fun things during the first couple months. I really loved climbinh the table mountain and the surftrip to witsands!

Pros