Surfpop

As many know, my first love is the sea, and when given the chance to shoot an ocean-related business, I jump at it with both hands firmly on my camera and both feet itching for the surfboard.

Surfpop is a registered non-profit organization, founded by Daniel Botha in 2015. From the day that Daniel discovered surfing, he fell in love and speaks of it as a life-changing experience for him.

He decided to take his love and passion a bit further and reached out to at-risk children and youth who did not have the same opportunities he had during his childhood.

Daniel will tell you, and it is something we all know but aren't very aware of, children growing up in disadvantaged communities around Cape Town have little hope of escaping their socio-economic environment: poverty, crime, drugs, gangsterism and a lack of good quality education and job opportunities are rife and real battles these children face. While surfing won't necessarily change their circumstances (at least not immediately), Daniel knew that surfing could be a powerful tool to impact the lives of these children positively.

It all started with the primary school and high school in Masiphumelele Township. Now, they have a few programs running.

Their mission - in their own words - "Surfpop aims to create long-lasting opportunities for children from disadvantaged communities through a powerful formula of surfing, education and nutrition. Surfing promotes the physical and mental wellbeing of the children, and combined with focused after-school education and nutritious meals, improves their school performance, prepares them for sustainable employment and promotes their role as ambassadors in their communities for living a healthy life, caring for and in touch with nature."

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

Either look to volunteering or donating. It's that simple and will change your life forever! You can get in on the action right here - https://surfpop.co.za/