Surfing

Nov 18 2016

Share The Stoke (Development Surfing Competition)

Muizenberg has been getting hit hard by the onshore South Easter winds lately, and it was on one of these crazy days that the Share the Stoke development surfing competition took place.

Kids from a number of outreach surfing projects, from as far as Mossel Bay braved the wild surf and ‘supermoon’ spring tides to compete. As wild as the conditions were, all the kids had a super fun time.

MBC entered a team of 5 kids: Asi, Yamkela, Frankie, Abel and Lee (his first ever surfing competition).

surfing development competition

Heat 1 – MBC in Blue

The team decided Lee should be the first to surf in each relay-style heat. All of the guys chose to ride shortboards rather than the easier to ride Learn 2 Surf beginner, foam surfboards. The super rough and windy conditions meant 90% of the waves were just powerful walls of white water. Strong currents took them a hundred meters from where they paddled out almost immediately.  Now and again some of white water waves cleaned up on the inside before washing up onto the beach.The boys managed to catch a few of these and took 1st place in the 1st heat!

Heat 2 - MBC in Red

Heat 2 – MBC in Red

Heat number 2: The winds got stronger and the tide got higher!

Asi and Yamkela got a few great waves, and Frankie and Able looked confident in the wild surf with a couple of long rides each. Lee was dealt a baptism of fire in this his first ever surfing competition but handled the pressure of surfing first in all his heats like a champion. The overall effort from all the guys and some solid team work saw them win their 2nd heat and advance to the semi finals!

Heat 3 (Semi Finals) - MBC in Yellow jerseys (They liked to think of it as the John-John Florence heat)

Heat 3 (Semi Finals) – MBC in Yellow . They liked to think of this as the “John-John Florence” heat

The current WSL Surfing World Champion is the young Hawaiian surfer, John-John Florence – an absolute hero of the MBC kids! The surfer leading the rankings during the year long international surfing tour, wears a yellow jersey/rash vest. This year John-John Florence was in the lead for most of the year and the kids know of him as the surfer in the yellow jersey. They felt extra motivated for the semi final heat wearing their yellow rash vests and made it through to the finals!

keeping warm

They decided body warmth and staying out of the wind was the best way to stay warm before the Finals

The final heat of the competition was held on full ‘supermoon’ spring tide in howling onshore winds. The currents, surges and backwash waves were incredibly challenging – but the kids handled like legends and took 2nd place in the comp!

prize giving

All the kids in the competition received a prize!

winners

Big smiles! (& 2 new Firewire surfboards, caps, Tshirts, Zig Zag magazines and SILVER medals!)

Huge thank you goes to Rory Heard from Share The Stoke and SSA (Surfing South Africa) for putting on such a great event!

The kids are psyched for the next one!

share the stoke

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Mar 22 2016

Shark Cage diving In Gansbaai

Hello from sunny South Africa!

Time goes fast and I can´t believe that I’ve already been here for over three weeks and I can tell you that this place is truly amazing. The food here is cheap and really tasty, the nature is just gorgeous in every way and people seem to have a different way of life here which I just love. After a few days with the kids you can tell that they are really good surfers and move like they have grown up on the surfboard and in the water.

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On Saturday morning, a couple of other volunteers and I went shark cage diving in Gansbaai – two hours away from Cape Town. At first I was nervous but after a lot of instructions and funny jokes from the staff I gained some confidence and we jumped into the giant shark cage that was attached to the boat. Even though the sharks moved really fast I managed to get some good videos and pictures thanks to my GoPro which I bring at all times. This was indeed a really a cool experience and if you ever get the chance to do it – take it!

 

Namnlös

 

Last week was Helen and Semjons last week here with us at MBC and in South Africa which is really sad since we have done a lot of fun stuff together and I would really like some more time with both of them. All I can do is wish them  good luck on their next adventures and hope that they have gotten a lot of good memories and experiences to bring back home.

We will miss you guys !!

 

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Felicia

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Mar 18 2016

MBC Surfing Video

Hello Everybody,

My time with MBC is almost over. I think it was the best time I could wish for my stay in Cape Town. It was awesome to meet the kids and get such a good relation to them. Even if it was sometimes hard to convince them to join your plans, in the end it was always much much fun. Shame that the bus was broken. I had many ideas we couldn’t implement. But at least their most favorite activity was and is SURFING. Because of that here some impressions of our kids on their boards.

Anyway, thank you to everyone who were involved for such a awesome time in Cape town.

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Mar 10 2016

Hiking and Movie Night

On Friday, we took a quick break from surfing, and decided to take the boys hiking, followed by a braai (it took me quite a while to realize that means a BBQ) and movie night. The boys’ initial reaction was the same as always; ‘but we want to go surfing’. However, by the time we returned, all of them agreed how much they’d enjoyed it. We went out in search of a waterfall, which was supposedly located 6km from MBC. We hiked up Peck’s Valley at quite a pace considering how steep it was, Asi and Themba running ahead.

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On arriving at the site of the illusive waterfall, we found that it had in fact dried up, leaving behind a sharp drop down the side of the mountain. The boys weren’t too phased however, and instead explored the valley, and sat admiring the views.

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We’re here, but where’s the waterfall?

 

The descent was not much easier than the climb up. Despite the steep and rocky path, the boys got down with ease, finding the energy to make jokes and chat as we went. Although I did slightly fear for my life as I scrambled down the mountain, the view out over Muizenberg and the sea was stunning.

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Sitting round the braai

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We piled back into the office, exhausted but content. Ant lit the braai and we sat round with blankets to shelter from the evening breeze. After eating a well earned dinner, we gathered round to watch the film – a documentary in which Ant took some world famous surfers around South Africa. It was full of amazing breaks and awesome tricks; the boys audibly gasping as the surfers rode barrels as effortlessly as if they were walking. Kelly Slater joined them for part of it, and his superhuman surfing and shiny silver wetsuit certainly added to the film.

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Watching the movie

At the end of the evening, the boys piled into Ant’s bakkie and drove back home. The night was undoubtedly a success, with everyone leaving smiling and laughing.

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Mar 3 2016

A Perfect combination of city life and wilderness

Hi there!

My name is Felicia, I am from Sweden and I am going to work here at MBC for five weeks and then do some traveling for a couple of weeks until I head back home.

I arrived on Monday around noon after two long flights and I got a warm welcome from the two other volunteers which I am going to stay with. After a quick meet and greet, Felix and Semjon asked if I wanted to join them for lunch in Cape town and five minutes later we were on the train to the city.

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They took me to Waterfront where we had lunch with a great view of the harbor and the ferris wheel. Later on we took a cab (which is very cheap here by the way so that’s one good way to get around here in Cape town) to the Company´s Garden; a beautiful garden oasis in the middle of all the busy roads and high houses. This was amazingly quiet and a great spot for just relaxing, laying in the grass and listening to some music while looking at the mountains, palm trees and squirrels running about. This is the perfect combination of city life and wilderness and I am going to enjoy every single second of it.

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So, there I was laying in the grass so happy to finally be here in Cape Town after so much waiting, planning and with a lot of expectations and a list of things I want to accomplish and see. Learning how to surf, Shark cage diving and going on safari to name a few.

Yesterday we had our first surfing lesson. I actually managed to catch a few waves and of course accidentally swallowed a lot of salt water (a lot), which I guess is kind of included in the experience. I was surprised that, even though the waves were so huge, I could still manage to get up on the board. But I will admit that I need some more practicing and some patience before I feel super safe on the surf board. It is indeed a project to both manage the surf board, the waves and your own balance at the same time, I tell you!

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Now the MBC kids are coming to the office and we are all going surfing again. I can probably learn a lot from them and I am really excited!

See you!

Felicia

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Feb 26 2016

Top tips for tip-top travels

Thinking about becoming an MBC volunteer? Or just looking to travel to Cape Town? Here at MBC, we’ve created a list of top tips to make your travels smoother, safer, and even more fun!

caitlin Name: Caitlin
Been in South Africa: 6 weeks
Position: Volunteer
Advice: There are so many incredible independent cafes in and around Cape Town. I love Bob’s Bagel Cafe in Kalk Bay, Monicle and Mermaid in
Simon’s Town, and Empire in Muizenberg – just round the corner from MBC!

 

ANT Name: Ant
Been in South Africa: 40 years
Position: Director of MBC
Advice: Stay for as long as possible, there’s so much to do. Just a couple of weeks won’t be enough – you’ll have to come back another time! Make
sure to explore the surrounding area as well, and get out to the Garden Route if you can.

 

philaName: Phila
Been in South Africa: 19 years
Position: Former MBC member, surf instructor at Learn 2 Surf
Advice: Be safe! Cape Town is an incredible area, but there will be some people out to spoil your fun. Keep your belongings in your sight, be vigilant, and don’t let anybody stop you having a good time

 

TembaName: Temba
Been in South Africa: 14 years
Position: MBC member
Advice: On a rainy day, Grand West in Cape Town is a great place to go. It has everything, from cinemas to an ice rink to bowling, as well as loads of restaurants. There’s enough there to keep you entertained for hours!

 

AsiName: Asi
Been in South Africa: 15 years
Position: MBC member
Advice: There are so many amazing surf spots here. Muizenberg is great for beginners, while Long Beach is good for more experienced surfers. The water isn’t as warm as you’d expect, so a wetsuit is a good idea to keep you comfortable

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Feb 12 2016

My first week @ MBC

Hey everyone!

My name’s Helen and I’m just beginning my first week of six, volunteering at Muizenberg Beach Club. I met the kids yesterday, and I think its fair to say that they are already better at surfing than I will ever be. They have so much energy!

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I’m really excited to be here. With my endless list of things to do and see, I’m not sure six weeks will be enough. Top of my list is climbing Table Mountain, although definitely using the easier route; shortly followed by seeing the penguins at Boulders Beach.

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I’ve never visited South Africa before, and as someone who was brought up in a comfortable home in England, I was quite shocked by some if the poverty here. It makes me very glad that there are projects like this that are working to improve the lives of kids who have grown up in some pretty tough conditions.

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I have to say, I was struck by how polite the kids are. Each of them was keen to shake my hand and introduce themselves, and I have no doubt that they all have so much potential to grow up to do great things. Hopefully as a volunteer I’ll be able to help give them the opportunities that they deserve; keeping them from getting involved in gangs, and allowing them to get out and enjoy themselves.

Adios for now, I’ll let you know how it goes

Helen

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Feb 5 2016

MBC Beach Hut Remodel

On January 13th the boys who attend the Muizenberg Beach Club started their new school year. Which for them means no more days spent entirely at the beach bounding out to surf and boogie board. For us, as volunteers, it means that things settle into a rhythm of surf, office, and time spent with the boys.

It also means that the volunteers are having to rewire their brains off of summer vacation and back into real life.

What I want to share with you today is a short video that was put together from clips of one of the first days I spent with the MBC boys. Someone had vandalized our beach hut and we needed to give the inside a fresh coat of paint. It was a very long and tiring day but it was so much fun to spend all day with the boys and really get to start knowing them.

Now that there is a small tribe of volunteers I think we are going to be able to do some truly incredible things with the MBC boys. The basic schedule guidelines suggest that we do things beyond surfing such as take the boys for a hike or play soccer. Personally I’m hoping for a bit of volleyball to make up for my mediocre skills with soccer.

Enjoy!

Caitlin [USA]

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Jan 20 2016

The beginning

Hey everybody,

I am also a new volunteer in the MBC. I am from Germany and doing a gap year and will stay for the next two month in Muizenberg. It is more a contingency than that I was looking for something like this. I had an other plan for my three month in South Africa. But after my first days on the surf board and meeting some of the kids I am very happy that it happened how it did and look forward that the next two month will be great.

On the first day with kids I had to realize that I will be taught by them how to surf and not the other way round. It was very impressive what some of the kids can do with the board.

If the waves are bad we will find an other way. The kids are very creative in think up new games.

Kids-playing

All in all the first impression of everything is very good and it is much fun to „work here“. Because in the end it is more a hobby than what we all connect with work.

Kind Regards and keep surfing!

Semjon

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Jan 7 2016

New Volunteer On The Block

Hi everyone, my name is Caitlin and I am a new volunteer here at MBC. I have flown all the way from America to start my adventure around the world and I will be working with MBC and Learn2Surf until the middle of February. I am staying in a volunteer house in Fish Hoek, so just like the boys I have to catch a train in and home again.

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Colorful Beach Huts of Muizenberg Beach

 

Yesterday was my first day at Learn2Surf and MBC and because the boys are on holidays I thought I would make the most of the beautiful weather Cape Town has been having and give surfing a go. I have had a couple of lessons back home but this was the first time I have hit the water in the Indian Ocean. After struggling to climb into my wetsuit and carry the board to the beach, I was excited to get in and give it a go. My first few attempts saw me falling off all over the place but I slowly got the hang of it and by the end of my lesson I was happily standing on the board. It was an incredible feeling to be riding waves in South Africa.

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Panoramic of Muizenberg Beach

 

 

Earlier today I stalked previous blog posts and the MBC Instagram to see what I am in for and it looks like it will be a wild ride. And I am now even more convinced that it will be after meeting some of the boys! I can’t wait to spend the next couple weeks getting to know the boys better and exploring Cape Town. This promises to be an adventure of a lifetime.

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One of the boys showing off on his boogie board

 

I will keep you up to date on all my MBC and surfing adventures.

We’ll chat soon,

Caitlin

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