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The Surfer Kids was founded in 2010 in Mossel Bay, in the Southern Cape of South Africa and is a registered Non-Profit Organization (NPO) with registration number 136-987 NPO.
Our MISSION STATEMENT is: “The empowerment of marginalized and impoverished youths through character building activities that teach commitment and dedication”
Our primary medium for achieving this objective is surfing.
THE SURFER KIDS Board of Trustees are:
- Hermann Vivier -Co-Founder, Chairman
- Jenya Zhivaleva – Co-Founder, Trustee
- Andries Matthysen – Trustee
- Thinus Mouton – Trustee
THE SURFER KIDS was originally founded as the Social Outreach Arm of UNRAVEL SURF TRAVEL, a surf & travel business partnership between husband & wife Hermann Vivier and Jenya Zhivaleva.
UNRAVEL SURF TRAVEL specializes in Surf Trips throughout Southern Africa and provides ongoing support to THE SURFER KIDS, which includes an Outreach Day with THE SURFER KIDS on every two-week Surf Trip of the Garden Route!
The Surfer Kids have since evolved into an fully fledged independent organization, with a Core Surf Program that runs five days a week and a team comprising 3 full-time and 2 part-time members.
The Surfer Kids is funded entirely through donations, both from local and international supporters, businesses and partner organizations.
After six years of being operational, in 2016, The Surfer Kids realized their long term goal, and achieved their most significant milestone to date, by opening a permanent headquarters at Diaz Beach.
The Surfer Kids Center at Diaz Beach houses an equipment inventory, a surfboard repair facility and a media center with high speed Internet. It has enabled The Surfer Kids to vastly expand the scope and efficacy of their program.
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nick nell
2 weeks agoVisited The surfer kids in Mossel Bay on a road trip. I was in the building when the kids arrived for the afternoon session. It was heartwarming to see the genuine excitement and joy of kids being kids. They were relaxed and happy and looked completely at home.getting ready for the afternoon learning.The vibe was a general stoke, coaches were friendly and hands off. It felt like a learning environment should feel.
Brandon van Niekerk
2 weeks agoHUGE thumbs-up for the safety and fun at Surfer Kids! I witnessed multiple moments where smaller, beginner surfers were perfectly placed in ideal conditions, ensuring they and everyone in the water had a blast with zero risk. I saw an epic moment where a board took a wild ride in bigger waves, and the coach, cool as a coastal breeze, was right there in the water with the kids, cheering them on and turning it into a legendary learning experience—then they all shared a laugh in the parking lot with fellow surfers high-fiving. This coach was out there paddling with the crew, tossing out tips with a grin, sipping coffee only when the kids were safely shredding waves, and keeping everyone stoked for a solid 10 minutes before they cruised back in.NO incidents of chaos here—kids were surfing in perfect harmony, never once bumping into each other or other surfers. Fellow wave-riders were stoked, catching waves with ease and praising the kids for nailing their spots like mini pros. When I chatted with the team, the adults in charge were total gems, showering everyone with encouragement and surf wisdom, making me feel like part of the Surfer Kids ohana.It’s a total beach party, and it’s clear this organization has mastered the art of running a top-notch program. By focusing on both QUALITY and QUANTITY, they’ve earned my undying respect for a program I’ll forever champion. @surferkidsnonprofit, keep doing what you’re doing—your contact info is probably framed on my wall already! Absolutely rad.
Carl Kritzinger
2 weeks agoThey are doing incredible work in the community. I have personally seen how they have transformed some of the children’s lives. It’s a great place to visit to experience some of the local culture and their skate park is world class.
stephan barker
2 weeks agoGreat initiative! Probably visited them 3 or 4 times. Super friendly and helpful. Always willing to chat about what they are doing. I think the work they are doing is amazing, genuine community upliftment.
Warren Gray
2 weeks agoHad an amazing surf lesson here, and paid for it in Bitcoin which was great! Then got a personalised tour of the local township where all the shops accept Bitcoin. A great project and I highly recommend people visit!