More than the Waves--Dreams to Reality Surf Outreach

I volunteered for two weeks in the Surf Outreach program. It was the most amazing two weeks of my life, and my only regret was that I couldn't stay longer. Volunteers live in Muizenberg, a famous beach town located about 30 mins from City Bowl known for its waves and surf culture. The location itself was incredible with Muizenberg Mt. in the background (perfect for hiking up for sunrise/sunset before/after program) and plenty of shops and restaurants along the beach front. From day one I was amazed by how loving and welcoming the kids were and looked forward to seeing them every day. The Surf program was unique and unlike any program I'd seen before. It was more time consuming than the other programs, meeting in both the morning and afternoon, yet I loved every moment of it. The lessons with other volunteers helped foster friendship and camaraderie among us and I think the kids really vibed off of it. Even though it was difficult at times to learn how to surf, it was completely worth it to see the look of joy on the kids faces when you can ride in with them, race, or just talk with them while waiting for the next wave to come in. Learning how to do something they love is the first step to open a dialogue and achieve a deeper level of understanding with them. After program and on weekends there's plenty to do with other volunteers in Muizenberg, City Bowl, and outside of the city. Even though I was only there for two weeks, I managed to squeeze in top attractions and even go on a two day safari. This was truly the adventure of a lifetime. Saying goodbye to the other volunteers, and especially the kids, was one of the hardest things, but I wouldn't trade this experience in for anything.