Ultimate Ocean Adventure in Cape Town, South Africa

Spend your Gap Year with Gap Year South Africa on the Ultimate Ocean Adventure. The Ultimate Ocean Adventure project combines scuba diving and surfing as well as providing you with an opportunity for community volunteering within a local township community. Learn how to scuba dive by completing the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Open Water Dive Certification as well as diving on a weekly basis under the expert guidance of qualified marine biologist and world acclaimed ocean adventurer Steve Benjamin. Also learn to surf or improve your surfing under the expert guidance of six times South African Surfing Champion Roxy Davis.

This action packed project aims to qualify you with a PADI Open Water Dive Certification, teach you how to surf or improve your surfing as well as provide you with an opportunity to make a difference within an under-privileged community. The Gap Year South Africa Ultimate Ocean Adventure project is delivered under the expert guidance of qualified marine biologist and world acclaimed ocean adventurer Steve Benjamin and six times South African Surfing Champion Roxy Davis.

Scuba Diving

During your Gap Year South Africa Ultimate Ocean Adventure experience in Cape Town you will enter a unique world that will change your life forever. Learning to scuba dive is absolutely essential for anyone thinking about a future studying or working with the ocean. Volunteers complete the PADI Open Water Dive Certification and dive twice a week. Diving will also expose you to the wonderful marine life of South Africa through going out to see on a boat and diving with marine animals. Our Volunteers gain an intimate knowledge of the unique marine biodiversity by spending time underwater exploring wonders such as the kelp forests, swimming with Sevengill Cowsharks and playing with Cape Fur Seals.

The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), founded in 1966 by John Cronin and Ralph Erickson, is the most internationally recognised training organisation and a world leader in educational development of scuba diving professionals and enthusiasts. You will be equipped with the knowledge to explore the magnificent marine world. The course is regarded as the world’s leading entry level diving qualification and combines both theoretical and practical aspects of scuba diving. The PADI Open Water Dive Certification course teaches you the fundamentals of scuba diving and allows you to practice these skills in confined shallow water environment (swimming pool) prior to undertaking four open water dives (two shore dives and two boat dives).

Volunteers go out on a boat to dive twice a week. The exact days for these dives is determined by weather conditions and remains flexible each week. Volunteers are provided with all necessary equipment for diving. Volunteers may also have the opportunity of meeting like minded South African divers, freedivers, professional photographers and film makers. Interacting with these people greatly enhances our volunteer’s experience.

Surfing

While participating in the Gap Year South Africa Ultimate Ocean Adventure project you will not only learn how to surf or improve your surfing but gain exposure to the surfing lifestyle and culture of the local community. This project provides you with a step by step introduction to surfing and/or an improvement programme for your surfing. As part of your experience you will also assist professional surf coaches in coaching people from all walks of life and backgrounds.

The surfing component of the Ultimate Ocean Adventure project typically involves the following daily activities:

• Learning to surf or improving your surfing
• Learn to be a surf coach
• Assisting in delivering surf coaching lessons
• Learn about the day to day running of a surf school and surf shop
• Exposure to the surfing lifestyle

Gap Year South Africa surfing component of the Ultimate Ocean Adventure project is based at Muizenberg Beach, also known as Surfers Corner. Muizenberg Beach break is known to be consistent throughout the year making it one of South Africa’s top surfing destinations. Through your daily surfing and coaching assistance from fellow surf coaches you will not only learn to surf or improve your surfing but will be coaching alongside professional surf coaches from the Roxy and Quiksilver Surf School, providing you with an opportunity to learn a great deal from these qualified coaches. You will have full access to the surfing facility including hot showers, change room, lockers and use of all necessary surfing equipment (board and wetsuit). Our Ultimate Ocean Adventure project also entitles you to discounted prices on all in-store products.

It is not a prerequisite for you to have any prior surfing experience or qualifications. However you do require high levels of enthusiasm and passion for the outdoors as well as being willing to make a meaningful contribution to underprivileged communities. From a mental point of view, surfing increases focus and quick response skills needed for other sports and many aspects of life. Surfing is known to be an effective stress reliever and excellent way to keep fit and healthy.

The surfing project will assist you in learning about:

• The ABC basics of surfing
• Wave predictions and weather charts – how to correctly chart the weather conditions and predict optimum conditions for surfing
• Types of surf breaks – learn the difference between split peaks, multiple random peaks, point breaks, reef breaks and beach breaks
• Fitness for surfing – you will learn about fitness for surfing and how to get the most out of your surfing
• Safety in surfing – all safety procedures will be taught, including basic beach and water rescues
• Surfboard construction – you will learn the art of board construction, how surfboards are made from the beginning, starting with a polyurethane blank and finished with a polished surfboard.
• The history and development of surfing – you will learn about the sport of kings and how surfing first started and used to settle disputes between the Hawaiian kings
• Environmental factors – the ocean ,weather, waves, rips, tides, currents
• Nutrition for surfing – optimum nutrition for optimum performance
• Sharks – you will learn in detail about ocean life, sharks and the shark spotting programme
• Career Opportunities- you will learn about the possible career choices that can be made surrounding the sport
• Surf rules and etiquette – you will learn how to manage yourself in the line up
• Introduction to stand up paddle boarding – theory and practical
• Theory on intermediate surfing (the next level)
• How to run a surf school and surf shop
• How to teach surfing lessons

Community Volunteering

Community volunteering within our local township community forms an integral part of the Ultimate Ocean Adventure project. You will be assisting under-resourced school children through community development programmes such as: waves for change, teaching support, tutoring and mentorship, computer literacy, HIV prevention, sports coaching, performing arts, and/or environmental awareness.

Volunteers will then be in a unique situation to take their first hand knowledge back into the classroom and show children what lies beneath the waves through poster presentations and photographic images taken whilst diving. Ultimately this project affords volunteers with an opportunity to take the knowledge gained from your time spent in the ocean to the school.

The Ultimate Ocean Adventure project volunteerism component contributes towards transformation whilst removing potential access barriers such as cost, elitism, race and gender. The intended beneficiaries of our community development project are young people who have inherently been afforded very little exceptional opportunity.

Volunteer Profile

Gap Year South Africa seeks individuals that are passionate and energetic with an enthusiasm for an adventure of a lifetime. If you are a post-school or post-university gap year student, a university undergraduate or postgraduate, or a career breaker, our Ultimate Ocean Adventure project is ideally suited for you. Volunteers must be 17 years of age and above.

You will be based in the South African coastal city of Cape Town, also often referred to as the Mother City. Cape Town is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The impressive presence of the world renowned Table Mountain stands proudly above the city of Cape Town. Beautiful white sandy beaches along a peaceful coastline frame the Cape Peninsula, which is famed for its unique floral kingdom, bountiful rivers, vleis and dams and magnificent countryside. The surrounding area extends far into the winelands, green in summer and red-gold in autumn. Cape Town is a city of culture, built on a history that reflects in the architecture, cuisine, music and dance. Together with a warm summer and temperate winter climate and a friendly community, Cape Town is an ideal Gap Year destination throughout the year. Situated 10 hours from the majority of gap year world traveller destinations, Gap Year South Africa is an ideal stop on your global adventure travel. Please click here to visit our destination page to learn more about Cape Town, South Africa.

Explore South Africa

You are hosted by the Team of Gap Year South Africa in our comfortable fully furnished house along with all our volunteers. The volunteer house is a very safe and friendly environment within Fish Hoek, a coastal village lying in a valley at the mouth of the Silvermine River, on the False Bay side of the Cape Peninsula.

Our volunteers stay in dormitory style accommodation with communal bathrooms. The house facilities include a DVD player and television, broadband internet access and a swimming pool. The house is located a short distance from the golden beaches of the magnificent Indian Ocean and conveniently situated within walking distance to a wide range of amenities for all your additional needs.

During the week, Mondays to Fridays, volunteers have all their meals prepared for them by our local team. Meals are not included on Saturdays and Sundays, as experience has taught us that most volunteers tend to explore Cape Town during weekends. Volunteers either purchase and prepare their own meals on weekends or often choose to eat out at local restaurants. Our kitchen is superbly equipped and local supermarkets and restaurants are within walking distance from the volunteer house.

On arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be welcomed by our Gap Year South Africa Team and be transferred from the airport to the volunteer house. All daily transport to and from the projects is provided.

The volunteer group excursions are selected from a wide variety of exciting activities based in Cape Town. Volunteer group excursions are selected in advance by the Gap Year South Africa team and are subject to change. The volunteer group excursions are selected from a host of exciting activities such as:

• Explore Cape Point where the cold Benguela and warm Agulhus currents merge
• Hike up Cape Town's magnificent Table Mountain and return via Cable Car
• Spend a day exploring all the attractions at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
• Visit the magnificent two oceans aquarium
• View the exquisite penguins at Boulders
• Explore the World of Birds wildlife sanctuary and monkey park
• Enjoy learning to surf or surfing the waves of Cape Town

The table below indicates the number of group excursions selected from a wide variety of exciting activities that are included as part of your project fee:

Volunteers will have free time on weekends to explore all Cape Town has to offer. Our team will inform you of all the amazing attractions available to you in and around Cape Town. If volunteers choose to experience any additional excursions above those stipulated as group excursions, these excursions will be at the volunteers own cost. Types of additional excursions available to volunteers include:

• Snorkel or freedive with Cape fur seals in the exquisite oceans of Cape Town
• Journey on a Township Tour into a vibrant world of colour
• Shark Cage Diving with Great White Sharks
• Scuba dive at the Two Oceans Aquarium
• Abseiling down Table Mountain
• Specialised guided wine region tours
• Robben Island Museum Tour
• Penguin Sea Kayak Trail Simon's Town
• Visit the Cheetah Sanctuary at Spier
• Tandem skydive
• Visit the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
• View the African Big Five on a one day safari tour

Prior to your departure:

• Expert advice on selecting your most suitable project
• Travel assistance from our specialist Partners
• Valuable ideas and assistance for your fundraising campaign
• An open line of communication to our friendly and informative team
• Our informative Project Pack including all relevant contact details

During your project in South Africa:

• On arrival at Cape Town Airport you will be welcomed by our South African Team
• Transfer from the airport to the volunteer house
• Accommodation in the volunteer house in Cape Town
• Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) Monday to Friday
• 24/7 assistance and emergency support from our Gap Year South Africa Team
• Project induction and training prior to the commencement of your project
• Management of your project delivery
• All daily transport to and from your project
• A selection of exciting volunteer group excursions and social events
• A chance to play sports for clubs in South Africa (terms and conditions apply)
• An opportunity to learn to surf and/or gain certificates in Scuba Diving (terms and conditions apply)
• Experience a new and vibrant culture

• Flights
• Saturday and Sunday meals (volunteers tend to explore Cape Town on weekends)
• Visas (if applicable)
• Travel Insurance
• Vaccinations
• Spending money
• Additional excursions and travel