WHILE most of their friends are playing in the streets over weekends, six youngsters from Walmer Township in Port Elizabeth are learning to ride the waves – thanks to a German-funded initiative.

The surfing lessons, part of the Masifunde Learner Development‘s “Learn4Life!” programme, take place on Saturday mornings at Denville‘s Beach opposite Bayworld.

Through its surfing project, Masifunde, an educational organisation, aims to establish role models within the township community and broaden the children‘s horizons.

In collaboration with a Summerstrand surf school, Soul Surfing, the children learn to surf while Masifunde provides transport to the beach.

Masifunde director Jonas Schumacher said: “We are very glad to have Soul Surfing as a partner to teach our kids how to surf.”

What‘s more, the youngsters also learn to swim.

Masifunde offers swimming lessons to 75 children between the ages of five and 16 in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Lessons are given in small groups at the university.

Schumacher said it was important for children from the township to learn to swim “for safety reasons”.

“They live so close to the beach and some day they might want to swim.” Today marks the young surfers‘ ninth lesson at the beach.

Sanelisiwe Dick, 10, from Walmer Primary School, is learning to surf and swim.

“I prefer to surf because when the wave knocks you over you can hang onto the board,” said Sanelisiwe.

Another young surfer, Luthando Bailey, 15, from Walmer High, dreams of surfing competitively some day.

“While I come to surf, my friends play soccer in the streets at home. Surfing is more fun and I enjoy being out on the waves. Some of my friends can swim and others want to learn.

“Surfing has taught me to not be scared of the water. It has also helped me be more disciplined with my schoolwork,” said Luthando, who is also still learning to swim.

Surf coach and owner of Soul Surfing, Matthew Calitz, said: “Most of the children stand and ride already.” He said surfing offered a whole package of sports skills, respect for others, social skills and environmental awareness.

“Being out there in the ocean gives them the freedom and time to think about themselves, which they probably wouldn‘t find at home to that extent.”

Calitz said he would like the children to be able to surf on a contest level one day, but added that surfing tournaments were not his main goal as the sport was not about being the best.