From car guard to surfer Bamanye is living the dream
Image: MICHAEL PINYANA
A young man working as a car guard on the Gonubie beachfront dreamed of joining local surfers on the waves one day, but never thought it possible.
But, thanks to the efforts of an East London non-profit organisation, he not only learnt to catch the perfect wave in two weeks, but also placed fourth overall in a surfing competition.
Bamanye Maqolane, 18, of Gonubie, crossed paths with surf school Salty Hour while working as a car guard in September, and has not looked back since.
“I could swim and that was an advantage because it was easy to learn how to surf.
“I was a skater [skateboarder] and there were similarities.
“Surfing makes me happy,” Maqolane said shortly after completing a two-hour training session on Tuesday morning.
On Sunday, he clinched fourth place in his first-ever surfing competition, the Junior Summer Series at Nahoon beach.
“I could surf well in just two weeks.
“Anything is possible when one is dedicated.
“I would practise beyond the one hour that Salty Hour offered a week.
“It was easy for me to learn from the start because I loved surfing and it was something that I wanted to do for a long time.
“I want to craft my skills more,” he said.
Maqolane dropped out of school in Grade 8 as his mother was unable to pay school fees.
“I still want to go back to school but I also want to teach people, especially young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, to surf.
“Surfing is a good sport that has taught me discipline, respect and caring for other people.
“I plan on being the best there is in surfing.
“I am grateful to everyone who helped me.”
Salty Hour co-founder Jono Bruton said the organisation had assisted many people, who in turn transferred what they had learnt to others.
“We average about 20 participants each Saturday.
“Our youngest surfer is three years old and the eldest is 76,” he said.
“The aim of Salty Hour is to break down barriers so people can access the lifestyle and sport of surfing.
“We provide assistance in terms of building confidence in the water and providing the right equipment for beginner surfers.”
Like Maqolane, Bruton believes surfing has the power to change people’s lives.
“We have helped many children and adults overcome social barriers, drug addiction and depression by introducing them to a sport that fills them with purpose — to ride that perfect wave.”
Maqolane no longer works as a car guard and now spends his days training with Salty Hour.