The 100Wave Challenge at Strandfontein is a special surf event that helps young people grow strong and hopeful through surfing, mentoring, and fun. Surfers ride 100 waves each to raise money and create safe spaces for kids facing tough times. The day is full of energy, cheers, and stories of courage, showing how the ocean can heal and bring a community together. This challenge is more than sport—it’s a wave of hope that lifts youth toward a brighter future.
On World Mental Health Awareness Day, Muizenberg Beach becomes a vibrant haven for healing and connection through the magic of surf therapy. Waves for Change invites everyone to dive into the ocean’s embrace, where participants not only learn to ride the waves but also build emotional strength and find community support. This event, filled with joy and hope, highlights the urgent need for mental health resources, especially for children facing trauma. As the waves crash and laughter fills the air, the ocean transforms into a powerful teacher, showing that together, we can navigate life’s challenges and find inner peace.
Roxy Davis is a passionate surfer and scholar who uses the ocean to help children with disabilities through surf therapy. This exciting therapy helps kids gain confidence, resilience, and adaptability by riding the waves. Roxy’s journey began in Cape Town, where she turned her love for surfing into a mission, earning a PhD to explore how the ocean can heal. Her research shows amazing stories of transformation, proving that nature and community can create powerful change. Roxy inspires others to discover the healing magic of the sea while building supportive communities along the way.
Waves for Change (W4C) is a nonprofit organization that uses surfing to provide mental health therapy to underprivileged children. On October 10th, W4C will hold an event to raise awareness about mental health issues for those who lack access to services. The program uses immersion techniques to help children cope with anxiety and fear and teaches them about the culture of respect, protection, and communication. Since its establishment, W4C has helped 2,500 children and aims to provide longterm support aligned with school terms.
Para surfing may not yet be an official part of the Paralympic program, but it has been slowly gaining recognition since its debut at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. With dreams of showcasing their skills on the world stage at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, South African para surfers Raemondo Lessing and Thando Ngcikwe are determined to ride the waves of resilience to success.
