TownShips kids Project

Soul Surfer Peter Garzke saw another side to South Africa, and decided to give something back to the nation that's brought him so much pleasure.

German Pro Garzke is one of the sport's original living-the-dream SoulRiders. With over 32-yrs of windsurfing in awesome locations around the globe, and South Africa being one of his regular winter destinations, Peter felt the divide between the thrill-seeking tourists and the locals' way of life needed to have some connection. Here's his story of how the Township Project became reality.

I was feeling kind of bad watching people struggling to make a living and using their country for my own pleasure at the same time. Coming from the airport driving to the coastline I saw a group of young kids playing various sports on the highway. I wondered how they would feel if they got the opportunity to try a sport like windsurfing? I thought it would be about time to get these kids off the main roads and into a nicer location - to build bridges and perspective. At least a little bit.

In the beginning I started it on my own with the help of some friends. Then I met Steve Rhodes, who lives in SA, who now actually runs the project when I'm not there during the [Cape Town] winter. With the help of the University of Cape Town's rowing and watersports centre at the Zeekovlei lagoon, we have equipment and instructors who are available for the kids to try it out and develop some skills.