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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]

By muizenbergbeachclub • Uncategorized • • Tags: Beach, beach huts, Muizenberg, Muizenberg Beach Club, Painting, Soccer, South Africa, Surfing, Volunteer

Feb 2 2016

The Reborn Ball

Last Friday after a whole week of perfect waves the wind changed to make the waves choppy again. So it was time for MBC soccer. We went to a field right outside Muizenberg next to the lake.

Chasing hard for the ball

We were playing for a few minutes before one of the boys took a hard shot. With wind coming from the back the ball was rolling faster than any of us could run. As the result the ball went into the lake and our little match was over. Watching the ball drifting away we were disappointed. Out on the lake were some windsurfers so Frankie and Godfrey got an idea. They walked up to the guys asked them to fetch the ball. These helpful guys did it and so went in our nice game. This is the kind of spirit I was talking about in my last post and shows again how confident and positive the boys are. It saved the day. After that it was MBC soccer in its best

Nice goals and terrific saves

By muizenbergbeachclub • Uncategorized • • Tags: #CapeTown, MBC, Muizenberg, Soccer, South Africa, Volunteer

Jan 28 2016

Lesson about african life by MBC

Hey there I am Thomas the last of the three volunteer to enjoy beautiful south-african summer.

I am here for almost three weeks now and had an amazing time at MBC yet. As my adventure here started some Kids were starting at High School which keeps them busy and show even more the importance of MBC as a possibility to see and have different experiences. Working with the boys is way different of what I am used to be working volunteerely back home in Germany. You never know how many Boys will be there and when they’ll arrive which limits your planing. But this is Africa and no matter what you have to do the best out of it. Thats the kids life and they show us how to deal with it.

MBC heading for the water

So we grab the boards and wetsuits and try to catch every wave. They are very good but the enthusiasm and support help us beginners very much. Once the waves are not so nice which occurs in summer sometimes there is still a lot of things to do. Normally that meens taking the ball, using some stones as goales and kick around. Fun can be that simple. With limited transportation because the MBC Bus is still broken it is a tense time and a lot of stuff that we are planing is not possible. The Kids don’t think like this and that makes it easier.

Asi gets it going

Beside the awesome time at MBC it is just nice to be here enjoying the sun and the Country. Hiking Lion’s Head for sunset or just going up behind Muizenberg. Capetown gives you so many opportunities wether it is skydiving or cycling to Cape Point. It is a perfect start for my travel that will take me around the Globe. Stay tuned for more stories of MBC.

Hiking around Muizenberg

Using the free time to cycle to Cape Point

By muizenbergbeachclub • Uncategorized •

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

By muizenbergbeachclub • Uncategorized • • Tags: Beach, First impression, fun, MBC kids, Muizenberg, South Africa, Surfing, volunteering

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.

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.

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.

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

By muizenbergbeachclub • Uncategorized • • Tags: MBC, MBC kids, Muizenberg, South Africa, Surfing, Volunteer

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!”

By muizenbergbeachclub • Uncategorized • • Tags: #CapeTown, #MBCYouthDev, #volunteers, Charity, Children, Kids, laughing, Learn2Surf, MBC, MBC kids, Muizenberg, Muizenberg Beach Club, nature, Soccer, South Africa, Steenberg, Surf, Surfing, Volunteer, volunteering, Youth

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.

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!!

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!!”

By muizenbergbeachclub • Uncategorized • • Tags: #CapeTown, #MBCYouthDev, #volunteers, Beach, Charity, Children, Cinema, clifton beach, film festival, gatsby, Kids, Learn2Surf, MBC, NGO, Surf, surf movie, Surfing, Surfing South Africa, Volunteer, volunteering, wavescape, Youth

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.

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!)

By muizenbergbeachclub • Uncategorized • • Tags: #CapeTown, #MBCYouthDev, #volunteers, Beach, Children, fun, Kids, Learn2Surf, MBC, Muizenberg, Muizenberg Beach Club, South Africa, Surf, surf lesson, surf lessons, Surfing, Volunteer, volunteering, Youth

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.

MBC1

MBC2

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!

By muizenbergbeachclub • Uncategorized • • Tags: MBC, MBC kids, Muizenberg, South Africa, Surf, volunteering

Nov 26 2015

Full Moon Walk

No surf yesterday for the MBC kids. No surf because it wasn’t cooking, there was just white water. No surf yesterday because it was full moon, so we decided to climb Lion’s Head and admire the sunset on the ocean and the full moon rise on the town.

Since last week, our bus isn’t fixed : Ant’s bakkie is the our only means of transport. The kids seemed to enjoy the drive, they were singing, playing and one of them took a little radio : everybody was so exited to hike up Lion’s Head.

To get to the top of Lion’s Head, it was a long walk, all around the mountain. But the view was beautiful : on the first side we could enjoy a direct view on Cape Town (City Bowl, Green Point), to the other side an amazing view to Camps Bay and its different little narrow bays and in the middle : the huge Table Mountain.

Cape Town city center

Camps Bay

Table Mountain

As the kids are fit, we were quickly on the top ! Unfortunately, this hike is very famous and this night, hundred people decided to climb up to enjoy the sunset… No problem : we were still the kings of the world, but with a lot of subjects.

MBC yeah !!!

MBC MBC MBC !!!

After a hike, it’s essential to drink, water is excellent, but Coke tastes better and as the add said « share a coke with your friends », so let’s share a coke together ! But as MBC promotes an healthy way of life, and Coke isn’t really healthy, some apples are there to calm the starving stomaches and to get some energy for the way down.

Once everybody had drunk and eaten, it’s time to catch the moon ! Nothing is impossible for a MBC kid.

We watched the sunset on the ocean and we just had to turn our head to enjoy the moon rise on the city.

Amazing sunset on Camps Bay

Moon rise on Cape Town

Cape Town by Night

Even if the way back was in the dark, it wasn’t a problem for the kids, they were the first in the car ! And when Ant, Julia and me arrived at the car, the kids were so quiet : nobody was spoking… They shook their arm to communicate with us. The game is : the first who speaks is loosing.

We could think the drive back will be quiet. But it wasn’t as from we were driving in the city center, the kids were screaming and singing. The excitement was for its height hen we stopped in front of the Ferrari shop…

Such an amazing hike !

By muizenbergbeachclub • Uncategorized • • Tags: Cape Town, Full Moon, Hike, Lion's Head, MBC kids, nature

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