SURF4Life
OUR PURPOSE
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
OUR VALUES
A FUNDAMENTAL FOUNDATION
RESPECT
“I will never turn my back on the ocean”
Turning my back on the ocean is not only foolish and dangerous, but it also shows a disrespect for
the ocean’s power.
INDEPENDENCE
“I will take the drop with commitment”
The ocean teaches me the right time to exercise patience and when to seize the opportunity.
DETERMINATION
“I will always paddle back out”
Whatever comes over the horizon at me, I will draw strength from knowing that my experience in the water supports other aspects of my life. I will not give up on myself and I will look out for
others.
ENTHUSIASM
“I will pass along my stoke”
I have a responsibility to pass on my knowledge and stoke. It will bring people together. We may all ride waves in waters with different names but, if you look at the globe, there is only one ocean that we share.
I will let the stoke shine through my eyes, bright as a bonfire.
OUR STORY
OUR INSPIRATION
Surf4Life was founded in 2011 in support of a fellow surfer, Taryn Pratt, who was battling cancer at the time.
Taryn was not only passionate about surfing but spent much of her life helping others in need. While she was alive, we drew strength from her leadership presence and gentle nature and now in her absence, we continue her legacy of love and selfless care for others.
In loving memory of
Taryn Pratt
08.06.1978 – 03.12.2012
She leaves a legacy of wholesome humanity for us all to admire and emulate
OUR TEAM
KEEPING THE STOKE LEVELS HIGH
Three incredible women head up our team:
Penny Stemmet
Founder & Chairperson
Suzie Hüsselmann
Head of Operations & Coaching
Leanne Knorr
Finance & Administration
OUR BENEFICIARIES
GIVING BACK COMES EASY
As a local community-based initiative, we look to maximise our impact by selecting
beneficiary organisations and partners with a proven track record.
Pebbles Project
Changing Lives
The Pebbles Project enables children from Western Cape farming communities to access quality education programmes and health, nutrition and social work services. We’ve partnered with Pebbles since 2015, hosting weekly surf sessions for learners from farms in Stellenbosch and Somerset West.
The Pebbles surfers are some of our most experienced with several of them having competed in local and national surfing events. We’ve also had a few coaches produced from this crew – they now “pay it forward”!
Hope and Light
Christian Community Welfare
Hope and Light Orphanage joined our monthly surf sessions in 2022. They’re based in Sir Lowry’s Pass and are dedicated to improving young lives by given children a sense of purpose and hope.
Smarties Town
Our biggest group with up to 30 groms at a time, Smarties Town (formally Boys’ Town in Macassar) joined our monthly surf sessions in 2022. These youngsters need positive role models and constructive outlets as they grow from teenagers into dynamic, responsible adults with a bright future.
