Unstressed Surfschool

Unstressed Surf School was founded in 2010 in the coastal village of Chintsa East on South Africa’s Wild Coast.

The project began in memory of a much-loved surfer known locally as “Unstressed Erik.” After his tragic death in a car accident, his partner chose to honour his life by sending funding back to Chintsa with a simple intention: to support local youth through surfing.

Out of that gesture of generosity, Unstressed Surf School was born.

Today, Erik’s spirit lives on in the program’s name and in the community that gathers on the beach each week.

Unstressed Surf School is a project of the Friends of Chintsa, a grassroots non-profit organisation established in 2008 to support social and environmental initiatives in the area.

Since its founding, Unstressed has been run primarily by volunteers from the local community — including educators, youth development practitioners, environmental leaders, and experienced surfers.

Together, they share a common belief: that the ocean can be a powerful space for learning, growth, and connection.

This charity has achieved a 10 Star rating on the Helpmore Trust Index, meeting 10 out of 10 trust criteria, including NPO registration, financial transparency, and independent governance.