Will Ronquest-Ross is an ocean-lover and a surfing enthusiast who wanted to share his love for surfing with others who couldn’t afford to learn how to surf. Will decided to do something to make sure others could experience the amazing feeling of surfing he loves so much too.
The eight-year-old Hout Bay resident approached Cape Town Surfing and asked them if they would be willing to offer a 25% discount for surfing lessons for ten children.
“We are blown away by how Will has felt so strongly to share the stoke of surfing with the community and underprivileged kids. Very wise beyond his years and seriously aspirational,” says Liam Wood, Director at Cape Town Surfing.
Impressed by his initiative, the surfing school agreed and Will took action. He decided he would raise all the money needed to teach the 10 children himself.
“Will has been coached personally by our surf school for years, we felt the need to support him and we as Cape Town surfing feel very strongly about reaching out to our Hout Bay community too – so its was a great fit to help and start this programme for Mandel Park and hangberg kids,” says Wood.
Earlier this year, he set up his very own BackABuddy page and aimed to raise R2 000 to cover the costs of the lessons.
“I love the feeling of being in a tube and I wish that other children could have a chance to experience that feeling too. Especially the children in Mandela Park (Imizamo Yethu). It would be fun if there were more children who could surf. I have asked the Cape Town School of Surfing to give me a 25% discount on lessons, so with your support, we could sponsor a lesson for 10 children. I have already raised R80 from my neighbours, which is a start,” Will said on his page.
In no time, he exceeded his expectations and raised over R4 000. The money was handed over to the surfing school to start teaching children, who never thought they would have the opportunity to learn how to surf.
The lessons have been underway for the past two weeks.
Now Will takes to the waves but does so with an especially big smile as he is finally able share his passion with even more children than he had hoped.
Picture: Will Ronquest-Ross