An estimated 70% of South Africans aged 15 to 24 struggle with mental health challenges, with the highest prevalence in the Western Cape and Cape Town. Despite these widespread struggles, only one in 10 people has access to mental health treatment. Many young people face racism, violence and poverty—conditions that underscores the critical need for effective, sustainable mental health initiatives. Waves for Change, a local nonprofit, is addressing this crisis through a unique approach combining surfing with structured mental health support.
Waves for Change was founded in 2009 and officially registered as a nonprofit in 2011, growing from voluntary weekend surfing sessions at Muizenberg Beach in Cape Town led by founders Apish Tshetsha and Tim Conibear. The organization operates across the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, delivering free surf therapy programs to 2,800 adolescents living in high-stress environments and training 215 coaches who have gone on to support more than 10,000 young people. The program integrates the “Take 5 model,” which includes energizers (short physical activities to boost energy), emotional check-ins (structured spaces for identifying emotions), paced breathing exercises, self-regulation games, and emotional check-outs (reflective activities reinforcing lessons).
Documented Benefits and Global Impact
Short-term benefits documented from the program include a stronger sense of belonging among peers, development of new social skills, engagement in stress management, and more positive goal-setting. Long-term benefits include reduced risky behavior, greater confidence and emotional control, lower stress levels, improved physiological responses, and reduced risk of developing depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Waves for Change shares its evidence-based protocols globally through its website, allowing surf schools worldwide to adopt this community-driven approach. With 90% of the world’s adolescents living in low- and middle-income countries and facing exposure to toxic stress, the organization’s model demonstrates how experiential, community-based approaches can support vulnerable youth mental health.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://borgenproject.org/surf-therapy/