Waves for Change is a non-profit organisation that provides surf therapy programmes for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Founded in 2011, Tim Conibear was inspired to start the initiative after volunteering at a township in Cape Town and witnessing the positive impact that surfing had on the children there.
The Waves for Change programme uses surfing as a tool to help young people who have experienced trauma, abuse and neglect to develop resilience and improve their mental health and well-being.
The programme operates in a number of townships in Cape Town, including Masiphumelele, Khayelitsha and Monwabisi, and is run by trained local community members, who act as mentors and provide support to the young participants.
In addition to surfing, the programme includes a range of activities designed to build life skills, including yoga, mindfulness and social skills training, as it also aims to support young people in building positive relationships with their peers and mentors.
Waves for Change has received international recognition for its work and has been featured in a number of documentaries and media outlets.
The organisation has received numerous awards and grants, including the Laureus Sport for Good Award and the ISPS Handa Foundation grant.
Waves for Change has also been recognised for its commitment to sustainability and is a certified member of the 1% for the Planet initiative, which means that it donates 1% of its annual revenue to environmental causes.
Also read:
Baking for good: Khayelitsha Cookies’ recipe for empowering communities
Picture: Facebook / Waves for Change