On the beaches of Dakar, about twenty young girls are learning to surf. But before catching waves, they must first fulfill one essential condition: being enrolled in school.
This requirement is at the heart of the first edition of the Surf Academy, a program launched by the American NGO Black Girls Surf , whose ambition is to increase the number of black women practicing surfing while promoting access to education.
Beyond the surfboard, the academy offers a comprehensive development program, combining academic support, personal guidance, and athletic training. For its founder, Rhonda Harper, the goal is clear: to remove the economic and social barriers that hinder girls' education in West Africa.
According to her, in many families, sending a girl to school represents a significant expense. When incomes are low, the choice is sometimes between putting food on the table and educating their child. By addressing these constraints, the program allows parents to see their daughters return to school and envision a different future.
While the sports component of the academy ended in late January, the academic support continues until July. Six students already enrolled in school joined the program for extracurricular activities and weekend sessions. Initial results are encouraging: several young women trained by Black Girls Surf are now participating in national competitions, with some even winning titles.
The Dakar surf academy was organized by Khadjou Sambe, Senegal's first professional surfer and vice-president of the local Black Girls Surf chapter. For four months, the program welcomed 23 girls aged 7 to 17, 17 of whom had never attended school or had dropped out.
For Khadjou Sambe, the path was also fraught with obstacles. In an environment long perceived as masculine, she had to confront stereotypes and opposition from those around her. Today, she hopes that her journey will serve as an example and encourage other young women to follow the same path.
Although surfing is not included in the Youth Olympic Games program, much to the disappointment of the Dakar surfing community, these young women continue to forge their own path. Balancing school, sport, and ambition, they prove that waves can also be a tool for empowerment.
