Surfkids Shredding Senegal

"We believe in these kids, and we believe that surfing can open life opportunities to them" - Aziz and Marta, founders of Surfkids Shredding Senegal

Aziz and Marta run the Malika Surf Camp and are members of the Senegalese Surf Federation. Around 2019, they noticed that many talented children in Senegal were surfing but had no access to good equipment. They decided to support five of these children initially by providing them with high-quality surfboards and wetsuits, as well as tutoring and access to education. Over time, Aziz and Marta learned that many children lacked the motivation to go to school and often spent their time only at the beach surfing on broken boards. Together with the local families, the surf club founded Surfkids Shredding Senegal with the support of the SKSS Foundation. It started with a weekly program that combined surfing, training, academic support, and the opportunity to participate in international competitions. The organizers said: "Having your own board and a holey wetsuit for the winter is a real privilege for local surfers."

Surfkids Shredding Senegal primarily promotes surfing for young people and aims to get more young girls into the water, but it also places great importance on education. A good education still offers the best chances along the coasts of Senegal to escape the increasingly unprofitable fishing industry due to overfishing and illegal fishing and to steer towards an alternative future.

The organization aims to bring girls into surfing. In Senegal, a predominantly Muslim country, the sea is seen as a place only for men. They are traditionally out at sea as fishermen, which can be dangerous, while women and girls are expected to stay at home in "safety." "If a girl has the courage [to go into the water], she is highly regarded in the surfer community, but not necessarily in family life because she loses her traditional female attributes," says Surfkids Shredding Senegal. "To combat this image on a national level, the project wants to bring more girls into surfing and competitions." Due to religious guidelines, the organization also tries to procure wetsuits or beach outfits that comply with these guidelines, as it is very important for the girls to avoid prejudice.

Rebel Surf is stoked to support Surfkids Shredding Senegal. We provide the club with fins and leashes and primarily work with Amy, Cherif, Déguène, and Adji. We are excited to see how the young athletes perform in surfing and competitions and can’t wait to see their new Rebel gear in action!