Helping a program we believe in grow.

Friends of Project Sunwave is the small, U.S.-based affiliate of Project Sunwave South Africa, which uses the ocean to help kids in Lambert's Bay build a different future.

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Meet Our Partner

Ocean Therapy & Mentorship
Ocean Therapy & Mentorship
Literacy & Life Coaching
Literacy & Life Coaching
Skills for Real Pathways
Skills for Real Pathways
Empower local communities
Empower local communities

AT OUR CORE, WE BELIEVE...

Good work deserves room to grow.

We saw what Project Sunwave was doing in Lambert's Bay, South Africa, and got moving. Not to build something new but to help something that already works reach further and prove what's possible. Funding, awareness, and logistics, starting with one program and one community, and building from there.

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What we actually do

Our Role

Funding, directed by the field

Every dollar goes where South Africa's reporting says it's needed.

Telling the honest story

Reaching U.S. donors and partners who'd want to know this program exists.

In-kind & supply donations

Gear and supplies, sourced and shipped to where they're needed.

Corporate & foundation ties

Connecting values-aligned partners to a transparent line of impact.

Invested by the founder and her family over two years, before external funding

Young people in free ocean programming

coaches

Local youth employed as mentors

coaches

Local youth employed as mentors

days/week

Programming delivered at no cost to participants

days/week

Programming delivered at no cost to participants

Certified in drowning prevention & water safety

Why give through us

Nothing gets lost in translation

We pass along exactly what South Africa tells us, not a polished version of the truth.

Nothing gets lost in translation

We pass along exactly what South Africa tells us, not a polished version of the truth.

Built to stay small

Less overhead means more of what you give actually reaches the program on the ground.

Built to stay small

Less overhead means more of what you give actually reaches the program on the ground.

No mission creep

We don't spread across causes, everything we do is in service of one program and one community.

No mission creep

We don't spread across causes, everything we do is in service of one program and one community.

Tax-deductible giving

Donations are U.S. tax-deductible under our 501(c)(3) status.

Tax-deductible giving

Donations are U.S. tax-deductible under our 501(c)(3) status.

Inside the work in Lambert's Bay

The 6 Pillar Model

Sunwave Safety™

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400+

Certified in drowning prevention & water safety

Sunwave Safety™

Learn More

400+

Certified in drowning prevention & water safety

Sunwave Safety™

Learn More

400+

Certified in drowning prevention & water safety

Sunwave Learning™

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School dropout rates in the Greater Cederberg exceed 30%.

Sunwave Learning™

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School dropout rates in the Greater Cederberg exceed 30%.

Sunwave Learning™

Learn More

School dropout rates in the Greater Cederberg exceed 30%.

Every wave matters. Together, we fund free ocean programming.

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"I rescued a boy who'd been thrown into the ocean by his peers. He couldn't swim. That's when I realized how many kids here have no safe relationship with the sea."
Chiara Vorster
Founder, Project Sunwave South Africa
"A holistic model that integrates ocean-based programming, water safety, and academic support — fostering confidence, healing, and a sense of belonging for youth who may not otherwise have access to safe recreational or learning environments."
Lauralee Petritz
Consultant & Fundraiser, Friends of Project Sunwave
It's not just about activities, it's about impact. Seeing them bond, grow, and step out of their comfort zones — that's the real win."
Vicky & Lionell
Coaches, Project Sunwave

"I rescued a boy who'd been thrown into the ocean by his peers. He couldn't swim. That's when I realized how many kids here have no safe relationship with the sea."
Chiara Vorster
Founder, Project Sunwave South Africa
"A holistic approach that combines the ocean, education, and mentorship to build confidence, healing, and belonging."
Lauralee Petritz
Consultant & Fundraiser, Friends of Project Sunwave
It's not just about activities, it's about impact. Seeing them bond, grow, and step out of their comfort zones — that's the real win."
Vicky & Lionell
Coaches, Project Sunwave