What Surfpop does

Surfpop is a South African nonprofit organization founded in 2015 by Daniel Botha in Cape Town. Its core program supports children aged 5–18 from three disadvantaged Cape Town townships — Masiphumelele, Ocean View, and Khayelitsha — through an integrated five-day-weekly intervention combining surfing, after-school education, life coaching, and nutrition. Children are referred via foster-care networks, social workers, and schools (notably Molo Mhlaba School for Girls and Masicorp Campus), with a documented pipeline that tracks beneficiaries from childhood through tertiary education and employment; all graduates to date have accessed college, university, or jobs, and pupils outperform South African national averages by 9.7% in Mathematics and 6.5% in English.

The organization operates a layered portfolio of programs and commercial services. The Surfpop Foundation core program is supplemented by the Early Birds Phonics literacy toolkit (piloted November 2024), the Marine Ambassadors Program (with Ocean Pledge), vocational workshops spanning carpentry, graphic design, and entrepreneurship, and the Surfpop Graduate Fund — a revolving loan facility for alumni. Revenue is generated through four streams: monthly individual donations via the Surfpop Tribe (€10/month), public surf lessons at the Surfpop Surf School in Muizenberg (R300–R500, with 15% of fees routed to the Foundation), 1–2 week surf camps (10% of profits to Foundation), and three tiers of volunteer packages priced €2,100–€3,150 sold globally through surfpop.co.za.

The organization holds dual legal-entity status — Surfpop Foundation (NPO 222-386, PBO 930066311 with 18A tax-deductible status in South Africa) and Stichting Surfpop (ANBI/RSIN registered in the Netherlands) — enabling tax-deductible giving across South Africa, the Netherlands, and Belgium. A board of three unremunerated directors (Daniel Botha as chairperson, Alwyn Lubbe as treasurer, Celine Hoeks as secretary) governs the organization, with a broader management team of ~16 paid staff including campus managers, teachers, surf coaches, and life coaches, several of whom are Surfpop alumni themselves.

Name

Surfpop

Legal name

Surfpop Foundation

Website

https://surfpop.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Surfpop is a Cape Town-based nonprofit founded in 2015 that combines surfing, education, life coaching, and nutrition programs for disadvantaged children across three Cape Town townships, funded by donations, volunteer tourism packages, and commercial surf lessons.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Surf Schools & Surf Camps (THAAAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps) (THAJAJAJ), Aquatics Programs (Pools, Swim Lessons, Lifeguarding) (EDALAIAF), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Surf therapy services
• Nonprofit education
• Community outreach
• Volunteer tourism

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Surfpop relies heavily on donations from individuals, businesses, and grant-making organizations. Monthly tribe members donate EUR 10 (R150) per month. The organization has tax-deductible status in South Africa, Netherlands, and Belgium.
2. Surf School Lessons: Revenue generated from surf lessons offered to the general public in Muizenberg. Individual lessons at R500, group lessons at R350-R400 per person, and weekly kids lessons at R250-R275. 15% of lesson fees donated to Surfpop Foundation.
3. Surf Camps: Adventure-filled 1 or 2 week surf camps in Muizenberg. 10% of profits donated to Surfpop Foundation. Packages include accommodation, surf lessons, tours, and volunteer activities.
4. Volunteer Program Fees: Fees charged for volunteer packages including accommodation, surf lessons, tours, and volunteering activities. Packages range from EUR 2100 (Entry Level) to EUR 3150 (Surf Instructors Course including ISA certification).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Surfpop is a Cape Town-based nonprofit foundation that delivers a five-day weekly youth development program combining surfing instruction, after-school education, life coaching, and nutrition to approximately 82 children from the Masiphumelele, Ocean View, and Khayelitsha townships. It sustains this program through donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships, supplemented by revenue-generating services — a public surf school, adventure surf camps, and multi-tier volunteer tourism packages — of which 15% of lesson fees and 10% of camp profits are donated back to the foundation. Supporting initiatives include the Surfpop Graduate Fund revolving loan, the Early Birds Phonics literacy program, and the Marine Ambassadors leadership curriculum.

Product overview

Surfpop operates as a nonprofit organization with a layered portfolio of programs and commercial services. The core is the Surfpop Foundation program offering children from disadvantaged Cape Town township communities (Masiphumelele, Ocean View, Khayelitsha) a five-day weekly program combining surfing, education, life coaching, and nutrition. Revenue-generating services include the Surfpop Surf School (public surf lessons), Surfpop Surf Camps (1-2 week adventure camps), and three volunteer packages (Entry Level at €2100, Surf Pro at €2650, and Surf Instructors Course at €3150). Supporting initiatives include the Graduate Fund (revolving loan fund for alumni), Early Birds Phonics Program (literacy support), Marine Ambassadors Program (ocean conservation leadership), and Life Coaching Workshops (vocational training). The Surfpop Tribe represents the monthly donor community. All commercial profits and a percentage of lesson fees support the Foundation program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Surfpop Foundation Core Program Free, five-day weekly holistic youth development program for at-risk children aged 5–18 from Cape Town townships (Masiphumelele, Ocean View, Khayelitsha), combining ISA/SSA-qualified surf instruction, after-school education, psychologist-led life coaching, and daily nutrition. Children are referred by foster care, social workers, and partner schools.
• Surfpop Surf School Public surf school in Muizenberg offering individual (R500), group (R300–R400 per person, max 3 per coach), and weekly kids' (R250–R275) lessons taught by ISA/SSA-qualified instructors. 15% of every lesson fee is donated to Surfpop Foundation.
• Surfpop Surf Camps Adventure 1- or 2-week surf camp packages in Muizenberg during the Cape Town summer surf season, combining daily surfing lessons with Cape Town tours and volunteer time coaching Surfpop children. 10% of profits are donated to Surfpop Foundation.
• Surfpop Volunteer Program Multi-tier volunteer tourism packages (Entry Level €2,100; Surf Pro €2,650; Surf Instructors Course €3,150 with ISA Level 1 certification; Always Stoked two-week) combining accommodation in Muizenberg, surf lessons, Cape Town tours, and hands-on volunteering with Surfpop children. Minimum 4-week stays for most tiers.
• Surfpop Graduate Fund Three-year pilot revolving fund providing interest-free loans to Surfpop graduates to access tertiary education or employment after high school. Graduates begin repayment two years after securing employment.
• Early Birds Phonics Program Evidence-based literacy toolkit for struggling young readers (Grade 2–5 level) covering phonics, vocabulary, letter formation, and basic comprehension, grounded in the Science of Reading. Developed by speech-language therapist Elizabeth Nadler-Nir and piloted with Surfpop beneficiaries.
• Marine Ambassadors Program 14-session program delivered in partnership with Ocean Pledge that combines theory and hands-on learning to equip Grade 9+ learners with leadership, public speaking skills, and marine conservation advocacy training.
• Surfpop Tribe Monthly Donations Recurring monthly donor program (Surfpop Tribe) at €10 / R150 per month, with 9 tribe members supporting one child's participation in the Surfpop program. Surfpop holds tax-deductible status in South Africa, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% school pass rate
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

41 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lunchbox FundcoreOthers · 1 January 2020Provides dried foods for nutritious meals served to Surfpop children daily. Partnership addresses food security for beneficiaries.
• EspritminorOthers · 1 January 2019International clothing brand that facilitated art workshops and supported nine girls to join Surfpop for a full year.
• Rotary ClaremontminorOthers · 1 January 2019Local service organization providing support for program activities.
• VMLminorOthers · 1 January 2019Marketing and communications agency partner.
• TruworthsminorOthers · 1 January 2019South African retail partner.
• Importers CoffeecoreOthersSouth African coffee brand sponsor providing all new surfboards and wetsuits for Surfpop beneficiaries. Ensures every child has their own surf gear.
• Matt BromleyminorOthersProfessional big wave surfer who supported Surfpop's COVID-19 campaign and helped raise awareness.
• Baker & Co ProductionsminorOthersProvided fresh vegetables weekly during COVID-19 to support food distribution program.
• JUJU Surf ClubminorOthersNon-profit dedicated to highlighting and supporting surf initiatives in Africa. Surfpop is beneficiary of their campaigns with brands like Slowtide.
• Dawn Patrol WinesminorOthersCommitted to supporting Surfpop through wine sales - percentage of each bottle sold goes to Surfpop.
• Brew KombuchaminorOthersSet up donation drive allowing customers to scan QR code and donate directly to Surfpop.
• Naked InsuranceminorOthersPart of Naked Difference good causes program where low-claim customers can direct premiums to Surfpop.
• BALLO EyewearminorOthersLocal Capetonian brand donating 10% of revenue from kids sunglasses to Surfpop.
• Dream HigherminorOthersLocal organization sharing love for surfing and climbing with exchange programs.
• AfriOceansminorOthersShared knowledge of ocean, sharks and conservation through interactive swimming lessons in the sea.
• Derm AfricaminorOthersLocal brand providing ongoing support to Surfpop.
• The Beach Co-opminorOthersPartner contributing to life skills activities and environmental education.
• Captain FanplasticminorOthersPartner in environmental education and life skills activities.
• Save our Seas FoundationminorOthersPartner in environmental education and ocean conservation awareness.
• Southern Explorer ToursminorOthersTour operator partner offering adventure tours (city explorations, safaris, hikes) for volunteers with proceeds supporting Surfpop.
• Burnett Wooden SurfboardsminorOthersPartner providing carpentry and surfboard shaping vocational workshops.
• Sweet SpotminorOthersProfessionals providing entrepreneurship and soft skills workshops for world of work preparation.
• Rainbow LeadersminorOthersPartner organization supporting leadership development.
• Green Box DesignsminorOthersDesign partner providing creative support.
• KindminorOthersPartner organization.
• Ocean PledgecoreOthersPartner in Marine Ambassadors Program - dynamic series of 14 sessions combining theory and hands-on learning for ocean conservation and leadership.
• AOCAminorOthersPartner organization.
• MasicorpcoreOthersHost of Surfpop office on Masicorp Campus in Masiphumelele. Core operational partner.
• Ross HillierminorOthersVideographer/producer who created films about Surfpop graduates including Asenako and Babongile.
• African Soul SurferminorOthersMedia partner.
• Rascal SurfingminorOthersCharity partner providing support.
• ClearScoreminorOthersPartner organization.
• Holly ArmstrongminorOthersQualified yoga teacher contributing to life skills activities.
• EwaminorOthersQualified yoga teacher contributing to life skills activities.
• Southern Explorer ToursminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTour operator offering adventure tours for volunteers. Partners with Surfpop to offer tours on weekends and before/after volunteer stays.
• Margriet de GoisminorOthersProfessional designer providing graphic design vocational workshops.
• Cape RaddminorOthersTeam from Simon's Town took Surfpop learners snorkelling at Windmill Beach, teaching marine life and conservation.
• Cape Point Nature ReserveminorOthersHosted learners for career exploration in conservation, hospitality and ecotourism.
• University of the Western Cape (UWC)minorOthersProfessor Anusha from Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology introduced learners to university life and careers.
• Molo Mhlaba School for GirlscoreOthersSchool in Harare, Khayelitsha offering STEAM education combined with Montessori. Referred 7 girls to Surfpop program, growing group in Khayelitsha.
• The Big Food DriveminorOthersPartnership for wider food support response in township during COVID-19.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Waves for Change: South African nonprofit delivering surf therapy and life-skills coaching for at-risk youth in Cape Town, eThekwini, and the Eastern Cape. Multiple Surfpop team members (e.g., Loveday Bande, Shanilla Nyamutamba, Azikiwe Mngqibisa) previously worked or volunteered with Waves for Change, making it the closest direct comparator in surf-therapy youth development.
• I Am Water Foundation: South African ocean-access nonprofit offering freediving, snorkeling, and ocean education programs for underserved youth in Cape Town. Comparable to Surfpop in combining ocean-based activities with youth empowerment, and a former employer of Surfpop's Azikiwe Mngqibisa.
• Surfers Not Street Children: International nonprofit using surfing as a vehicle for youth empowerment and to support street-connected children, with programs across Africa. Direct mission overlap with Surfpop's surf-therapy-for-disadvantaged-youth model.

Emerging players

• Stoked Mentoring: US/UK nonprofit pairing at-risk youth with action-sports mentors (surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding) to build confidence and life skills. Mission and methodology closely aligned with Surfpop's surf-therapy approach at the youth-mentoring layer.
• Lalela Project: Cape Town-based nonprofit providing after-school arts education, life-skills coaching, and academic support for children from disadvantaged communities. Comparable in combining education + life coaching + township reach, but uses arts rather than surfing as the engagement mechanism.
• Waves of Health: US-based nonprofit that uses surf instruction and ocean-based experiences to support veterans, youth, and underserved communities. Comparable in mission (surf as therapeutic/empowerment tool) though operating in a different geography.
• Heart of Surf (South Africa): South African surf-therapy initiative operating in coastal townships. Smaller and less documented than Waves for Change, but directly comparable in surf-based youth development for at-risk South African children.
• Ubuntu Football Academy: South African youth-development nonprofit combining sport (football), education, and life-skills training for township youth — a sport-based youth-development model that overlaps Surfpop's approach but uses football rather than surfing. Several Surfpop staff have prior Ubuntu involvement.

Others

• Molo Mhlaba School for Girls: Cape Town (Khayelitsha) STEAM and Montessori school for girls from low-income communities; a core referral partner to Surfpop and overlapping in serving the same beneficiary population through education rather than sport.
• AfriOceans Conservation Alliance: South African marine conservation NGO and Surfpop partner delivering ocean-conservation education to Surfpop children. Comparable in marine-citizen-science and education rather than direct beneficiary type.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/surfpopafrica
• Instagraminstagram.com/surfpop_volunteers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/surfpop-foundation

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Surfpop