SA making big waves at Laureus World Sports Awards

The Award was presented on stage by HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco. HSH Charlene, who grew up in South Africa, competed internationally as a swimmer, has a passion for sport for development and cites surfing as one of her favourite sports to participate in today. 

Hannah Fowles of Waves for Change says they are very stoked with the award  

On average, the ratio of school social workers to children in these areas is 1:30,000. Statistics also show that these children are impacted by up to eight traumatic experiences per year, as opposed to an average of five per lifetime in the developed world. Post-traumatic stress is common among South African youth. 

The programme was founded by Tim Conibear, an Englishman who spent time in South Africa after graduating from university. An avid surfer, Tim spent every free moment he had surfing. At the beach, he found young people from the local township who were at a loose end in search of something to believe in. Soon, Conibear was transporting a car full of excited young people to and from the beach. The car then became a van, and then came Waves for Change. 

Although many of the young people that participate in the Waves for Change programme live meters from the ocean, most have never stepped foot in the water and do not know how to swim. The programme initially gives youngsters the chance to learn to swim, before engaging in group and peer-to-peer therapy. 

Before long, the young people are embracing the ocean and pushing themselves towards getting up on the surfboard and riding out a wave. More importantly, as they learn to face their fears, they are learning to cope with their emotions out of the water and become leaders in their communities. 

Then why did W4C specifically choose the sport of surfing ?

Since it's inception in 2011 Waves for Change has reached over 1000 children and helped over 50 coaches achieve qualifications and skills in surf coaching, lifesaving, child protection, trauma counselling and computer training. 

When the programme first began there were no female participants, now over one third of the children taking part are girls. Surfing has since become one of the most popular sports in the township communities and young people are becoming mentally and physically healthier as a result. 

The success of the programme has seen it expand from one site to six - five in South Africa and one recently launched in Liberia. Waves for Change are dedicated to continuing the work they do across the globe, reaching communities where mental health services are under-resourced or stigmatised.

Sean Fitzpatrick, Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy says: "The work being done by Tim and his team at Waves for Change is inspirational to say the least. Disadvantaged youth who are in desperate need of support and direction are given a new lease of life through surfing. It's an incredible success story and my fellow Academy Members were inspired by the work of the programme." 

Founder of Waves for Change Tim Conibear adds: : "Surfing to these young people is everything. It is an escape, a challenge and a chance for young people to learn and achieve something. In the past four years, we have seen young people with no hope and lacking in confidence return to education, build relationships, develop into talented surfers and become leaders in their own communities. It is an honour to receive this Award from the Laureus Academy and it is further proof that what we're doing is working." 

Fowles explains how the massive accolade bestowed on the organisation will boost the expansion of the project on the broader African continent.