volunteering

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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Feb 26 2016

Summer with MBC

The first weeks are over and I have to say: It is just fun. To no time you think, that you have to work. Also because I became kind of friend with some of the kids who are joining MBC every day.

MBC-surf

 

Also my surf skills became better and better. After now three weeks with mixed waves tried to switch from long boarding to short boarding. I had to recognize that the first sets with a short board are much harder than with a long board. But I keep going.

Semjon-surf

 

Kind Regards from the wonderful South Africa Semjon

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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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Dec 27 2015

Sunshine, Sand, Surf!

School’s out for the season. The kids are on their holiday. And with more free time to surf, that is exactly what the boys have chosen to do.

After two short stops on the train ride from their home in Steenberg, the boys arrive in the morning to MBC, suit up, and spend their days and hours out at the beach. At times the boys will remember they haven’t yet had their lunch, but just as easily they’ll forget their stomach’s grumbling as the ocean calls them back into the surf.

Catching waves with the boys has been a blast! Here I am the volunteer and it’s them who have been so helpful with teaching me. They genuinely wanted to see me learn during my month here. Many times Frankie and Abel would stay nearby in the ocean and call out for me which waves I should catch. They’d yell out, “Turn your board around now! Paddle! Start paddling! Keep paddling!” Before I knew it, I was picking out my own waves and standing up more times than I could count. It’s so great to see their love for surfing and their willingness to share it with others, just as it’s been imparted to them.

Last week, taking full advantage of Muizenberg’s beautiful beaches, we organized games and fun competition for the boys, both on the sand and in the water. Frankie won both the foot race and soccer agility match. Temba came in a near second. And when it came to the surfing, everyone knew Asi would take the win. Abel, deserving a notable mention, still surfed with an injured foot. Tough boy! I had to tell him to sit it out until he knew exactly what was wrong and he finally conceded. It’s so obvious for many of these boys that being in the ocean is irresistible. Even with swollen foot, Abel admitted, “Surfing’s a part of my life. I want to be out there!”

Now as we head into the holidays, I’m bummed to say that only a few days remain before I head back home and my time at MBC comes to a close. I am so looking forward to spending this Christmas with the kids before I leave, meeting their families, and trying some local homemade South African dishes. I cannot believe how quickly this month flew by. Spending time with the boys has certainly been an honor and privilege. Each day getting to know these boys has been such a treasure, and they truly have become like my little brothers! I cannot say it enough, “Go MBC!”

beach games

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Dec 11 2015

Wavescape Surf Film Festival

Saturday afternoon we loaded up in Ant’s bakkie and headed with the boys to Camp’s Bay for a swim and movie night on the beach. It was a first for me and so much fun riding in the back of a truck on a main highway and then at the beach digging to form sunken sand sofas to relax and enjoy the open air cinema that is part of the annual Wavescape Surf Film Festival. On Clifton 4th Beach, after finding our place up front near the big screen and once nestled cozy in our newly dug-out sand chairs, with packed sandwiches and fruit in hand (thanks to Shani!), the boys sat back and relaxed, eyes fixed on the pro surfers in the films who go and travel the world  giving their lives to chasing waves. Film after film,  you could see how the boys found inspiration to dream big and chase their passions. And by the end, despite it being late into the night, Asi and Toufie just wanted to jump in the water and surf.
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But soon after the last short film, the crowd cleared up, and we, too, packed our things to get back home. Then came my personal favorite part of the weekend, just sitting in the back of the bakkie with the boys. As the wind out picked up, we tried to keep warm with only one blanket to go around. The ride home was entertaining to say the least. I learned Temba is great at storytelling and has quite the imagination. Whymph will bust out into song with lyrics he’ll come up with on the spot. Asi and Abel I found out share my love for sardines. Phila remains adamant on his views of pumpkin pie (I still have 2 weeks to convince him). And the rest of the ride just felt like I was hanging out with my little brothers! When we dropped off the boys at their home in Steenburg, they were keen to point out to me the nearby corner shop that serves Gatsby. It’s apparently a local favorite dish and a must try while in South Africa. It’s going to happen!!

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Besides all I learned from the boys riding in the bakkie Saturday, a sweet highlight from my second week here and something that became very apparent to me was the huge heart of the man behind MBC. In these 5 years, Ant Scholte has done much more for these boys than simply introducing them to a love for surfing. He invests his heart and his time for them. He provides an outlet for these boys, where they can come feel safe, unthreatened, and carefree–just as kids should be. I see it so clearly. I see it when he gives of his weekends to rest and instead chooses to spend it with the boys. I see it when he stays back to carry their bags, boogie boards, and wetsuits when they forget. He instills values by example, tells them the hard things, and encourages them to pursue the important things. The sacrifice this man makes for these boys is humbling and inspiring! And as the boys would say, “GO MBC!!”

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Dec 9 2015

Words of wisdom: Paddle DEEP!

It’s been a great first week with the MBC boys! After the first couple days of my asking them multiple times, I’ve got each of their names and faces down.
We had three newcomers yesterday: Sumpiwe, Kanya, and Mpo. The clubs’ more experienced members, Asi and Siya, took on the role of showing them the ropes, and they did so well. I’d stayed back on the beach and it was sweet just chatting with the boys as they took their breaks at random points in the day.
You really get to see the different interactions and personalities. There’s Frankie and Siya who are close buds, yesterday joking and having fun in the sand as we talked about how Frankie would celebrate his 16th birthday. Then there’s Asi–you couldn’t get him out of the water as he kept up with the big boys in the back. Abel is wise beyond his years and so patient. At one point I found myself sitting in the middle of a friendly sandfight when Abel took a hit and all I saw was his huge smile as he laughed it off. ​
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My first surf lessons this week came from Phila, previously an MBC member (soon to be college student!!). He’s an excellent instructor and within an hour of the first day I was standing up riding some waves. When sensing my nervousness heading into the rows of white water, he gets a good laugh and reassures that we’ll get past them. So, I press on. Paddling forward through wave after wave, sometimes I won’t see Phila, but from somewhere I’ll hear his voice calling out words of encouragement to keep me going. It works!
Today after what seemed like an impossible feat, before I knew it, I was in the backline! Finally there on the flat waters, Phila and I sat on our boards for a bit, gave our arms a rest after all the paddling, enjoyed the calm new environment and absence of white water, and then after some practice learning to sit on the board, he said, “Ready to ride a wave? Let’s do it!”
Phila picked out a wave, gave me quick last second reminders of everything to keep in mind, and then I was off on the nicest ride back to shore. I felt at that moment I could say I came, I conquered, and accomplished what I wanted coming to South Africa. There is something that makes you feel alive when you’re able to overcome even a piece of that powerful ocean. But in truth, there is so much more than catching a wave that I came here to South Africa for. I came for these amazing kids. . . in the water or not. (But yes, more in the water!)

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Dec 3 2015

A volunteer’s first day & Lessons from MBC boys

Greetings from Muizenberg!

After a quick tour around town with the staff at MBC and Learn2Surf, I was able to get my bearings of the area this first week of volunteering. Glad I have a month to make this place my little home away from home. As you walk the streets, you hear the train chugging through town on the tracks, you pass by quaint local shops and cafes, and you see the joy of locals and visitors alike basking in the warm sun of Muizenberg with its endless white sand beaches and crystal clear ocean waters.

At the MBC office, I was welcomed to my first day of work with a sweet set of tunes playing overhead. With Ant’s great taste in music, I and the rest of the friendly crew sat and worked listening to Chant Down Babylon. Just the type of rhythms and beats to get the morning going–that is, if the view out the window of the Cape’s pristine Atlantic Ocean weren’t enough.

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Happy to report that today was my first introduction to a Moka Pot. Using this newly discovered contraption, Ant gave the step-by-step lesson on how to prepare the perfect double espresso. It was delicious! I can’t imagine with this fine combination of music, ocean, and coffee, what volunteer would not be ready for all that each day here may hold.

I am truly thankful and excited to be here in South Africa with this opportunity to work with the kids of the Muizenberg Beach Club. I met several of the members for the first time yesterday and very much look forward to getting to know these boys. Within minutes of them arriving at the boardroom, we changed into our wetsuits, grabbed our surfboards, and boogie boards, and headed a short walk to the beach. The boys informed me that the surf was low that afternoon and there wouldn’t be much waves to catch, but they were still eager to come and glad to be in the waters. We had some good laughs as the boys tried to teach me how to paddle, and they all assured me that I’d get it soon enough.

As of late, since the MBC bus is currently awaiting repair, the boys take a 10 min. train ride from their homes in Steenberg. Even from our first meeting, I immediately sense that each of them has a story waiting to be told. I cannot imagine the things they see in their daily lives, but what a blessing it is for them to have MBC to come to each day. Lives are genuinely being turned around through this outreach and the dedication and heart of Ant and his staff. I am so looking forward to being a part of this effort and to investing in the kiddos as much as I can this month!

And, of course, I can’t wait for us to catch some of them waves together!

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Nov 20 2015

Ocean Driven: The Chris Bertish Story with MBC

One of the most valuable things in MBC that we try to teach the amazing kids we work with is the ability for them to have the belief that they can be whatever they wish to be and their dreams need not be dreams. We’re always searching for new ways to inspire them alongside the local community, so when legendary big wave surfer offered tickets to the kids for the African premiere of his film, Ocean Driven, at the Galileo Open Air Cinema in Kirstenbosch, we knew the kids had to go along.

Normally at MBC we use our bus to get around and for these sort of events, however, recently it was vandalised and parts stolen. As a result, we had to use our only other method of transport to get to the gardens – Ant’s Bakkie. Squeezing seven kids and myself into the bakkie to get to Kirstenbosch from Muizenberg was a slight issue, though everybody was brimming with excitement on a picture perfect night. With the sun hanging low, the gardens had come to life in a way the kids nor myself had ever seen. Being my first and many of their first times in the botanical gardens and having heard many raving reviews of their outstanding beauty, none of us were quite as prepared for the vibrancy of the flora and their overpowering yet ultimately soothing scent.

Drinking the fresh water from Table Mountain

Drinking the fresh water from Table Mountain

Having taken our seats, everyone’s urge to explore took over as Ant led us off into the enchanted gardens. It’s appropriate to say the kids were astounded with the trails. Learning about the Cape’s past through nature; drinking the fresh water off Table Mountain; racing around the paths and Boonslang Walkway and also chasing some ducks – their enjoyment could be felt from a mile away.

With everyone’s mind in total peace from our brief exploration of the gardens, we made our way back to the cinema. Generously, Chris had given the kids perfect seats right at the front for brilliant viewing of the film with blankets (that proved to be utterly essential) and free popcorn – the best part. As everyone settled down for the film, Chris had a quick photo with the kids and made a small speech before the main event, telling us his story and how the movie was made for the kids. This had us all in awe at how this seemingly normal man had pulled through so much to achieve his goals; however, these sentiments were only exacerbated following the film.

Explorers getting a better view

Explorers getting a better view

The story told by Chris and his friends and family in the film was truly inspiring, especially for the kids. For the up-and-coming next generation of South African surfing, seeing how a local like themselves had achieved so much had evidently stirred all of their thoughts (and most of the audience included). Whilst the applause for the great cinematography rang on, Chris had a few more words to say and questions to answer for the audience. Mainly aiming them at the kids, he spoke of his own hardships on a more personal level than in the movie. Listening attentively, one message stuck very clearly in the kids minds from Chris: ‘Dream it. See it. Believe it. Achieve it.”

On our journey home, loaded into the bakkie once more but with the cover pulled over to keep the wind from getting to us and making us resemble of a tin of sardines, it was clear how much of an impact the night had on the kids. Frequently repeating the saying, they had all been motivated beyond belief by the film and rightly so. The kids of MBC are a truly special bunch, capable of achieving whatever they set out to do, and hopefully this will help them see so.

To the kids: Dream it. See it. Believe it. Achieve it. It’s only up to you, live out your dreams!

MBC meets Chris Bertish

 

Awesome seats right at the front

 

Beautiful Table Mountain and the Gardens

 

Flying above the trees

 

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Nov 18 2015

Jumping Bloukrans Bungee Bridge

 

Being awoken at 4am on a Saturday morning is no easy situation to deal with, especially when facing an eight-hour road trip purely to launch yourself off a 216m bridge. However, that’s what my friends and I decided we’d spend our weekend doing.

Getting ready for go time…

All nine of us feeling terribly exhausted and groggy clambered onto the bus and quickly found a spot as comfortable as we could to try regaining some rest even though most were quaking in their boots at the thought of what we were heading for. The worlds highest bungee bridge, and until 2007, the outright highest bungee jump in the world – and we were going to plunge ourselves off it. Though this was one of the main things many of us wanted to do while in South Africa, it was difficult to grasp that we were heading to it now.

Heading through the Garden Route, the trip was enough to keep many of us from sleeping however. Flying round every bend, everyone pulled out his or her cameras for another snap of the dream world we were in. Encountering elephants; zebras; springboks and ostriches amongst some of the most outstanding scenery I had ever seen was truly making me fall deeper and deeper for this wonderful place.

Doubting these leg wraps will hold

Driving over various huge valleys and being jokingly condescending to their height from the bridge, we eventually hit Bloukrans Bridge. This wasn’t one to joke about. Towering above the valley floor by 216m, to think we were jumping off it was absurd. Watching others plummet until the bungee rope gave some resistance was stomach churning. Our guide told us we had 5 seconds of uninterrupted free fall at 120kph. We couldn’t possibly register how that felt until we were falling.

The walk to the platform along the bridge was when we really began to realise what we were doing. Watching our distance ground grow with every step, it was amazing how remarkably calm everyone managed to be, though that all changed when your jumper number was called up. Getting tied round the ankles and aided up to the ledge, you could see too well what you were launching yourself into with blind faith for the rope around your ankles to hold. Though the pounding beats on the platform soothed the nerves slightly, nothing could prepare you for the drop.

Being hoisted back up, adrenaline through the roof

Free falling into a rocky valley at the speeds we hit is simply unexplainable. It was a compete blur. Though as you hit the ending of the plunge, you begin to question whether it will ever end. When the elastic heaves you back up toward the bridge, a huge sense of relief comes over oneself – but the adrenaline and urge to keep falling overpowers it entirely. To say you feel indestructible may overstep the mark a little, but its tough to find another way to describe the feeling afterward.

Since I can barely remember the moment, I stuck together a video from clips I gathered that day to see the madness unfold for my own sake and my friends. Have a watch and if your in South Africa – most definitely have a try.

No going back

When you think you may die…

 

 

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Nov 12 2015

Skating Muizenberg with MBC

As always at MBC, when the surf ain’t up, we’re always out and about doing something active regardless. Last week, one of our kids, Asi, and myself (Dan) took to the streets of Muizenberg to cruise around the town to find some nice spots to skate and see the town from a different perspective whilst catching as much as we could on the GoPro for MBC’s first skate edit.

Following our hike up Peck’s Valley, Asi and I both remembered just how insane it would have been to hill-bomb Boyes Drive – this was our first stop. Flying down the hill on our small, wobbly boards in the baking sun overlooking the cape flats and Muizenberg was quite an extraordinary cruise – even though it was incredibly tough to take it all in whilst battling every urge to jump off your board before your face made your acquaintance with the road…

Luckily however, we both came to the end of the hills unscathed and stoked beyond belief as a result. Hooking down Old Boyes Drive and skating back along the main road, our next stop was up by Bluebird Garage (http://www.bluebirdmarket.co.za), site of the legendary Muizenberg market and a must see for all new to the town for great food and a great start to every Friday night. Passing by silkily on the smooth roads, we diverted into the back streets and residential areas of Muizenberg. Full of beautiful and colourful little houses, this quaint part of Muizenberg is heavenly to have a little walk around to get away from the main road and bustling beach – and ideal if you’re a skater for its wonderfully smooth roads.

Coming out the other side of the village, we doubled back up to Surfers Corner, where Asi broke out his bag of tricks (which were unreal for the amount of time he’s spent on a skateboard). Skating every possible spot he could trick on, Asi’s confidence was clearly growing by every attempt until he was nailing everything he set his mind to. In fact, he shredded so hard that he managed to stomp his foot through the kicktail on his board – a serious mark of commitment!

In light of all this, I managed to stick together a video from our cruise around town (it’s also my first edit) that you can check out above. To the truly remarkable kids that we get to work with here at MBC – keep shredding!

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