Annual Report 2025

About

At five beaches in Cape Town, Gqeberha and East London, trained local coaches deliver weekly Surf Therapy, an evidence-based mental health programme supported by psychologists, followed by Surf Club aftercare. A dedicated programme offers Surf Therapy to autistic children. Through Take 5, a trauma-informed coaching approach, Waves for Change trains coaches to bring the same skills to children far from the beach, working with partners including UNICEF South Sudan and South African government departments. Research, including a randomised controlled trial, underpins everything it does.

Key Metrics

Key Outcomes

• Among DCAS coaches using Take 5 in 2025, harmful coaching behaviour fell by 59% and helpful coaching skills rose by 67%, while children's emotional regulation improved by 52%, mental wellbeing by 47% and resilience by 52%.
• In Surf Therapy, 95-99% of participants felt safe and 85-89% reported overcoming challenges, feeling hopeful, calming themselves when upset, talking about feelings and making friends.
• In South Sudan, 97% of Take 5 coaches reported behavioural or emotional growth in children and 77% changed how they delivered their programmes; Matthew, a participant in the autism programme, featured in the video 'Autism is my Super Power'.

Geography

International