Avid surfer helps children take on new challenge in riding waves
JURGEN Jacobs, 24, was crewing on a private yacht in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean when he felt the urge to give back something to his beloved South Africa. He resigned, and returned to Sodwana Bay.
He may no longer sail super yachts, but he uses the waves to make a difference in the lives of those who have had little opportunity to experience the delights of childhood.
The Small Steps Surfing programme is the key: children who might have hung around despondently are now racing into the sea, riding the waves, facing new challenges and finding youthful joy.
Jacobs is quick to point out that this is not a one-man show. Ufudu Turtle Tours, leaders in sea turtle conservation, help him regularly. “I would struggle without the helping hand of my dad, Peter, and Thembinkosi Ndlovu every weekend.
“My family are huge advocates of ocean conservation,” he explains. “Our programme focuses both on empowering the youth with knowledge and new skills, and on tackling the pollution issue.
“Through education and an exciting exposure to the enjoyment of the ocean, Small Steps Surfing aims to preserve the beauty that this planet has to offer.”
They also do daily beach clean-ups and hopefully in the future will start their own recycling programme.
An avid surfer and general waterman himself, Jacobs wants the local community to be able to experience some of the delights he had when growing up in the magnificent Sodwana Bay area.
For some of the community, it might appear rather daunting – a case of jumping in at the deep end. However, for a couple of weeks Jacobs went out daily, chatting to parents and children.
He had some convincing to do. The sea, after all, can be scary when you have never been on a surfboard.
Some of the children still have to be taught to swim before they can take on the challenges of the ocean.
“We do not force them into the water. Some of the very young kids play in the sand a couple of times before coming into the water.”
While the youngest child is only four, the general focus is on kids between seven and 17 years of age. Many of the children work as boat hands or car guards.
Asked about his star pupils, he mentions Ayanda Ncube, 17, and John, 15. The latter refuses to give Jacobs his Zulu name. Why? “He is afraid I will pronounce it wrongly and the other kids will laugh at me.”
It seems in addition to learning to surf, John is being protective of his mentor, and would hate to hear him being sniggered at by the other boys.
Several people around South Africa have donated surfboards and other equipment. Jacobs took a two-week trip around the country at his own expense, to touch the hearts of those able to bring joy to the children in this way.