From Cape Town to the Jungle: The Wild Journey of Surfboards to Madagascar
At Groundswell Aid, our mission is to uplift grassroots projects where surfing and poverty intersect. Our vision is to harness the generosity of the global surf community to bring tangible support that leads to transformed lives. What recently unfolded in Mahambo, Madagascar, is a powerful reminder of what happens when that vision becomes reality.
A Journey Guided by Grace
Earlier this year, with generous funding from The Ball Project and an exciting partnership with RYD, we sent a shipment of surfboards and gear to a small, isolated village on Madagascar’s east coast. The journey wasn’t easy — but it was deeply worth it.
The boards started their long trip in Cape Town, South Africa, and made their way to Durban. From there, a remarkable door opened: the shipment was able to travel aboard a Mercy Ships vessel bound for Toamasina (Tamatave), Madagascar.
In this part of the world, logistics are rarely simple — yet this route opened up at just the right moment, a quiet but unmistakable reminder of God’s timing.
Once the boards reached Toamasina, Billa, a Mercy Ships team member and long-time friend of the region, stepped in to coordinate the final leg of the journey. With the help of the Mercy Ships crew and their trusty 4x4s, the surfboards were transported through thick jungle terrain to reach Mahambo — a small surf village bursting with potential and faith.
Why Mahambo?
Billa, who lives in Lamberts Bay, South Africa, spends part of each year serving with Mercy Ships in Madagascar. Last year, he connected with a passionate group of young surfers in Mahambo — many of whom live in deep poverty, earning a living through fishing, rice farming, or selling coconuts.
Despite the challenges, these young people shared two powerful passions: surfing and Jesus. They dreamed of using both to make a difference in their community.
When Billa shared their story, we at Groundswell Aid knew we wanted to stand behind them — not to lead, but to come alongside what God was already growing there.
A Day the Village Will Never Forget
When the surfboards finally arrived in Mahambo, the entire village came out to celebrate. For many of the young surfers, it was the first time they had ever held a professionally shaped surfboard.
Even more moving, Billa also brought a supply of Malagasy-language Bibles from the ship. For some, it was the first Bible they had ever owned — a moment of pure joy and gratitude that words can hardly capture.
But this wasn’t just about surfboards or even celebration — it was about opportunity.
The local surfers can now:
- Provide surf lessons for local children, including those from the orphanage, school, and church.
- Gather regularly for fellowship and discipleship through a growing Christian Surfers chapter.
- Start a community surf school.
- Offer board rentals to tourists and travelers to support their outreach.
This is exactly what we mean when we talk about tangible support that transforms lives.
The Impact Is Just Beginning
As Billa shared in his report to us:
“How can a person say thank you to something so impactful? It’s with great humbleness, thankfulness, and stoke that we look forward to our next visit — to connect, build, and walk with these amazing young people.”
We’re deeply grateful to everyone who made this possible:
- The Ball Project, whose funding helped turn vision into reality.
- RYD, for donating high-quality surfboards and gear now transforming lives in Mahambo.
- Mercy Ships, for helping us navigate the last (and toughest!) miles to get the boards safely delivered.
And above all, praise God, who made every part of this story possible. Please continue to pray for the young surfers of Mahambo — for their faith, their future, and the waves yet to come.
This is only the beginning.
