Waves for Change: when surfing changes lives!

What if a surfboard could change a life? Waves for Change is proving it can – using surfing as a tool for personal development and psychological support for young people from under-resourced communities in Cape Town.

It was thanks to a team of Odity Cape Town employees that we discovered this inspiring initiative, voted the winning project in Odity’s Call for CSR Projects. Their conviction and commitment enabled us to measure the association’s exceptional impact, and today we’re proud to be able to support them in their mission.

An inspiring mission, a concrete impact.

Founded in 2009 in South Africa, Waves for Change is much more than just a Surf Therapy programme. The organisation works with universities, children and young people to develop a community based, child-friendly mental health service.
Through sessions led by coaches trained in mental health and personal development, young people discover a safe space to gain confidence, manage their emotions and build a better future.

The results speak for themselves:

• over 2,500 young people supported each year
• 96% of participants report feeling happier
• 94% of participants are better able to calm down when they feel sad, angry or scared feeling safe
• 43 coaches trained in mental health and mentoring to provide long-term support for beneficiaries
• 5 active training centers in South Africa

In so doing, the organisation contributes directly to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to ensure a lifetime of good health and promote well-being for all, at all ages. Their action is the perfect embodiment of this commitment, offering young people in difficulty the tools they need to improve their mental health and their future.

In 2025, Odity is committed to supporting Waves for Change and developing its work with young people in Cape Town.

The meeting on March 13th with the Waves For Change team marked a key moment in the officialization of our partnership, driven above all by a shared sense of commitment.

While our support is financial, to enable the organisation to extend its programs to young people, Odity Cape Town’s CSR Committee was keen to gain a better understanding of how the organisation operates, the Surf Therapy program with its coach training, and what is at stake for the children and their families.
It was an opportunity for the teams to share their experiences.  I even learned that a surfing session with employee volunteers would be launched in April!

“The sheer inspiration radiating from the Waves For Change coaches is really palpable. They possess a unique ability to empower and uplift, making it clear that they are the driving force behind the program’s transformative impact on these young lives.”
Rodney Govender, General Manager Odity Cape Town

Because together, we can help these young people build a better future, one wave at a time! Find out more here: https://waves-for-change.org/