Surf Camp and Adventure Club Volunteer

Dive into an exhilarating 6-day surf adventure with our comprehensive package designed to equip you with the essential knowledge for surfing success. We kick things off by imparting the basics, delving into the theory while ensuring continuous progression.

Once we've laid a solid surfing foundation, we focus on improvement - whether it's mastering the art of catching green waves or perfecting turns, we ensure you're ready to conquer the surfing world. As you spend more time on the waves, your skills will naturally elevate, leading to the addictive thrill of surfing.

Surf Lessons in South Africa
With the beach to ourselves most of the year, the soft easy, gentle gradient of Coffee Bay beach makes it the perfect spot to learn to surf or to work on improving your surfing technique and skills. Conditions are often perfect for lessons with super safe, waist deep water for your surf lessons. We use the best learner specific soft boards, and as you progress we can also supply more advanced boards for the intermediate surfer. Our focus is on you learning to surf quickly, effectively and with style; secondly as with all things ‘Coffee Shack', is that you have ‘FUN” and enjoy the experiences whilst learning something new.

Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you'll be picked up from the airport and transferred to Sunrock Guesthouse. Relax, settle in, and enjoy a welcome dinner

Arrival Hotel - Sunrock
Sunrock Guesthouse is a comfortable and welcoming accommodation conveniently located near the International Airport making it the perfect place to rest and prepare for your surf program.

Take the hotel shuttle to the Johannesburg Domestic Terminal for your flight to Mthatha, where your driver will be waiting to meet you upon arrival. Enjoy a scenic drive to Coffee Bay with the Coffee Shack shuttle, which will pick you up from your flight in Mthatha.

Check in and get settled with a welcome drink, then relax or stroll down to the beach to get your bearings. You will meet our surf instructors; discuss the program for the next few days and any previous surfing experience you may have (none is necessary). Dinner is served around 19:00.

Start the morning with a cappuccino before your 2-hour morning group lesson (we never have more than 5 surfers in any of our groups). In this first lesson, you will learn the basics of paddling, catching white waters and standing up, if you have never surfed before. The instructor will assess your surfing skills so that we can customize your package according to your ability and allocate you the appropriate equipment. Return to Coffee Shack for a delicious breakfast. Your first private lesson will be at 12:00. The private lessons are exclusive to your group who are doing the “Surf Package”.

After the private lesson you have time to relax, enjoy the hammocks, explore Coffee Bay, or go on a hike. The first theory lesson, an “Introduction to surf equipment”, is before dinner. Dinner is a hearty two course meal, served at 19:00. After dinner enjoy the company of travelers around the campfire or get some much-deserved sleep.

Sleep in if you want, enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Depart at 10:30 for "Beach Day" - a day of surf lessons, sun, beach volleyball and general fun. Enjoy another group lesson on the “Beach Day” and use of the appropriate surf boards all day. Freshly toasted sandwiches are served for lunch. Before dinner, you will have your second surf theory lesson, and the usual delicious 2 course meal at 19:00.

After the morning cappuccino, enjoy a group lesson. Return to Coffee Shack for breakfast. At 12:00, your second private lesson will be an opportunity to put the surf theory into practice. The afternoon is yours to explore the area or use your free “board hire” to get in some extra practice or just relax in the hammocks. That evening you will have your third and final surf theory lesson, before the usual 2 course dinner at around 19:00.

Another happy, busy day starting with the final group lesson. After the lesson, come back and enjoy breakfast. Your final private lesson will be at 12:00, after which you have the afternoon to yourself. During your private lesson, you and the instructors will apply the theory you learned during your previous theory lessons. Enjoy the usual two course dinner that evening.

Use your free “board hire” and tag onto the morning surf lesson, to get in some last-minute practice and then breakfast before you leave for Cape Town.

Transfer to Cape Town
Departure Flight from Mthatha to Cape Town

Cape Town Arrival
Welcome to the Mother City!
Touch down in Cape Town and let the journey begin! You'll be greeted at the airport and taken straight to your cozy accommodation near the beach. Settle in, get your bearings with a handy local map, and take the rest of the day to explore!

Stroll the golden beaches, dip into local shops, sip cocktails by the sea, or unwind at a beachfront cafe. In the evening, enjoy a warm welcome dinner and meet your fellow volunteers - your new adventure crew!

Fuel up with a relaxed self-serve breakfast before your awesome project leader shows you how to navigate the local bus system. Then, it's off to the city!

Cape Town Walking Tour Highlights:
Wander through historic sites like the Castle of Good Hope & Grand Parade
Discover South Africa's past at the District Six Museum and Parliament Buildings
Shop for unique handmade treasures at Greenmarket Square and St George's Mall
Afterwards, head to the vibrant V&A Waterfront, where you can grab a coffee, enjoy fresh seafood, and watch ships cruise in and out of the harbor.

Want even more? Optional adventures include (at own cost):
Take the cable car up Table Mountain for panoramic views
Visit Robben Island, the historic prison of Nelson Mandela

As the sun sets, hop on the local bus back to Table View and join the buzz at one of the nearby beachfront bars or restaurants. The ocean breeze, good vibes, and great company await - just steps from your hostel.

This project is a great way for volunteers to gain experience working with children and groups. Learning new outdoor activities such as swimming, boxing, ball sports, surfing and skateboarding.
The project is run as a weekly curricular activity for disadvantaged youth from one of the local schools. The main goal is to keep the children occupied and off the streets after school. Volunteers help us teach them valuable life lessons through adventure activities, teamwork, educational classes and sports. For most of the children this is the highlight of their day, which is why it is also used as an incentive for them to do well in school, giving them a better chance at a brighter future. Those that turn up for school every day, behave themselves in class and study hard are rewarded by being given the chance to attend this after school sports activities.

Learn to surf and teach the children how to surf
Skateboarding afternoons while teaching the children
Assist within edu-care centers every day in the morning
Help children develop life, sport, and educational skills
Gain experience in working with children within an organisation
Provide children with new experiences
Learn about South African cultures and way of life
Develop new friendships

* Please note: The children that enter the program are at various levels of swimming capabilities, surfing can only be taught to children once they pass swimming. Therefore surf lessons with the children can not be guaranteed during your stay, you will however still receive the volunteer surf lessons.

Volunteer Tasks may include (but are not limited to):
Teaching kids how to swim, surf & skate
Assist teaching sports programs
Run fun days and challenges
Assist with computer lessons where available
Assist in the edu-care centers with basic skills teaching
Be a good role model encouraging good social and emotional skills

Monday
AM: Sunshine School visit
PM: Volunteer meeting

Tuesday
AM: School assistance
PM: Surf/ swim/ skate/ sport - Adventure club

Wednesday
AM: School assistance
PM: Surf/ swim/ skate/ sport - Adventure club

Thursday
AM: School assistance
PM: Surf/ swim/ skate/ sport - Adventure club

Friday
AM: School assistance
PM: Surf/ swim/ skate/ sport - Adventure club

Saturday and Sunday
Off

*Your surf lesson can be on any day weather dependent. This gets confirmed weekly.

This project runs all year round, however, during school holidays we run the project according to our holiday program. During the holidays it's a time for the kids to have fun so the programs are less structured and may change depending on the number of children that arrive on the day. Working hours are generally from 08:00 to 14:00.

In addition there are a lot of public holidays spread throughout the year. Please note that during the holidays, it's a time for the kids to have fun, so the programs are less structured and may change depending on the number of children that arrive on the day.

Due to Christmas and New Year's celebrations between December 19th - Jan 5th, all projects in Cape Town are closed, however, volunteers may still use the accommodation and food and join us for Christmas lunch on the 25th.

Public Holidays 2025
18, 21 & 27-28 April
01 May
16 June
09 August
24 September
16, 25-26 December

School Holidays 2025
28 Jun - 21 Jul
04 Oct - 12 Oct
13 Dec - 14 Jan 2026

School Holidays 2026
29 Mar - 07 Apr
28 Jun - 21 Jul
04 Oct - 12 Oct
11 Dec - 14 Jan 2027

With every new arrival we have a safety and orientation briefing where we discuss issues such as general safety in South Africa for example, what to do in the settlements, where not to go, what to do in case of an emergency, sea currents, HIV AIDS and crime. There is a volunteer co-ordinator with our volunteers at all times while on project to ensure the safety of the children and volunteer. We offer all our volunteers 24/7 support and assistance.

Arrival transfer
1 night accommodation in Johannesburg (including welcome dinner and breakfast)
Flight ticket - Oneway Johannesburg to Mthatha and shuttle transfer from Mthatha airport to Surf Camp
6 Day Learn to Surf Camp (including 5 nights accommodation, 5 breakfasts and 5 dinners, 7 surf lessons, 3 surf theory lessons, wetsuits and boards included in lessons, 1 X half day board and wetsuit hire)
Flight ticket - Oneway Mthatha to Cape Town
2 Day Cape Town Welcome Orientation (including accommodation and Welcome Dinner)
2 weeks Cape Town Volunteer (including accommodation, Cape Town walking tour, 3 meals a day (Monday - Friday) and breakfast and lunch (Saturday - Sunday)
Transport to and from your project
1 Surf Lesson per Week, 4 hours of Extra Surf Lessons with Professional Instructor
Weekly social events
Donation to the project
Certificate of appreciation

Minimum age of 18
CV/Resume
Police Clearance Certificate
Basic level of competency in English
Ability to swim
Acceptance subject to availability

Volunteers need to be flexible and keep an open mind concerning their placements as situations can arise beyond our control which could require you to be placed at a different project than the one you have initially chosen. We will of course always do our utmost to fulfill your initial wishes but do remember that where you are going is quite different from where you are coming and as such one should be prepared for things not always going according to plan.

Volunteering and intercultural travel share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. This program is designed for proactive individuals and groups that are prepared to adapt to the local environment and its current needs. Naturally, the scheduling and activities of our program are subject to change. Alterations in activities are mainly due to changes in local conditions, which we believe is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that they are.

Our projects range from 1 week up to approx. 30 weeks. Projects have a specified minimum stay, then it's up to you how long you can commit. In our experience the longer you stay the more you will gain, as your understanding of the project broadens and you take on more responsibilities. Every volunteer will be given a certificate of appreciation at the end of their stay as a symbol of volunteering stay.