ASSOUINDÉ — Souleymane Sidibé teaches free surfing classes to children at Badro Beach in Assouindé, Côte d’Ivoire, through his nonprofit Souley Surf School. The program provides lessons at no cost to students, using surfboards donated by the Swiss-German nonprofit Provide the Slide.
Students must learn to swim before they are allowed to surf, a requirement that addresses local safety concerns. The World Health Organization estimated that about 1,800 Ivorians drowned in 2021, and cultural beliefs, including fears tied to the water spirit Mami Wata, have historically discouraged swimming along the country’s nearly 300 miles of coastline.
Sidibé co-founded another nonprofit, Surf Côte d’Ivoire, in 2022 with Nadi Saddy. That organization trains older students to become surf instructors who can offer private lessons to out-of-town visitors, creating potential income opportunities. Sidibé also provides free lunch to his students every Wednesday after practice.
Nadi Saddy said, “Most of the kids here don’t have easy lives. We teach them about surf culture and how to respect nature, but also, that surfing can help them earn a living.” Saddy added, “Everyone has their own interpretation of what Mami Wata represents, but it’s a big reason why people here don’t swim. We tell people, it’s OK, we’re here to guide you.”
Sylvain Kouao, vice president of the Ivorian Surf Federation, said, “For a long time, surfing in Cote d’Ivoire was asleep. People here are starting to realize that surfing can be a way out, and offer kids something for tomorrow.” Kouao also noted, “When people think of surfing, they think Tahiti, Bali, Hawaii. But West Africa has some really great spots.”
One student, Rokia, began learning to surf a year-and-a-half ago after approaching Sidibé directly. Though she had never known how to swim—her parents had warned her not to enter the water for fear she would drown—she joined the program and is now among the growing number of local youth taking up the sport.