Over 60 years ago, an article titled ‘Africa – Home of Surfing?’ sparked a conversation that would eventually lead to a modern-day surfing revival in Ghana. The article, featuring a caricature of a tribesman dragging a surfboard, was recently rediscovered by filmmaker Ben Lalande, and his colleague Sarah Hughen. The two filmmakers were inspired to explore the world of surfing in Africa, particularly in Ghana, after reading the article written in the 1960s.
In the small Ghanaian fishing town of Busua, Lalande and Hughen discovered an emerging surf culture that was not only breaking down traditional gender barriers but also making a positive impact on the community. They found that surfing, once considered a male-dominated activity, was attracting a growing number of female surfers.
The filmmakers met with Vanessa Turkson and other female surfers who shared stories of parental opposition and cultural stigmas associated with female surfing. Despite the dangers of the ocean and societal norms that discouraged female participation in surfing, a local surf school, Black Girls Surf, led by Justice Kwofie, was at the forefront of teaching young women how to swim and catch waves.
According to Kwofie, the surf school has not only empowered female surfers in Busua but has also contributed to a decline in teenage pregnancies. The emergence of the Obibini club, Ghana’s only female surf club, has provided young women with a safe space to socialize and learn. Historic evidence, including diary entries from a Scottish soldier stationed in Accra in 1834, suggests that surfing has been a part of African coastal communities for centuries.
Although the surf scene in Ghana is growing, Sandy Alibo, founder of Surf Ghana, emphasizes that the community’s traditional values prioritize marriage and financial stability over leisure activities like surfing. However, organizations like Surf Ghana and filmmakers like Lalande and Hughen are working to change this narrative by raising funds for surf equipment, safety courses, and community centers.
The impact of surfing in Ghana goes beyond the waves, as it offers job opportunities and community building for the local youth. With growing support from brands like Vans, a new clubhouse has been opened in Busua, providing young people with a place to come together and develop their skills. As the surf culture continues to evolve in Ghana, the community is beginning to recognize the positive impact of surfing, particularly for young women, and is embracing the economic and social benefits it brings.