Surfing started in Muizenberg in 1910, after a visiting Australian showed the locals how a plank of wood could be used to ride the waves. Over the last 115 years Muizenberg has attracted famous personalities to its beaches to surf, including writer Agatha Christie, philosopher George Bernard Shaw, and HRH the Prince of Wales (who would later, briefly, serve as King Edward VIII). But perhaps more importantly, surfing at Muizenberg has shaped its lifestyle and culture, and created an enclave of diversity, tolerance and creativity that is unique in South Africa, and perhaps the world. 

Recognising the importance of surfing, Muizenberg Heritage has embarked on a project to research the history of surfing at Muizenberg in order to make Muizenberg’s surfing heritage more accessible, and ultimately to increase the surfing and cultural tourism potential of the area. Seed funding has been received from the Muizenberg Improvement District (MID), and a public participation workshop on the project was held at Rhodes Cottage on 8 January 2025. Members of the public are invited to participate in the project in the following ways:

Suggest research sources. These could be literature, film, photographic, and audio sources, or suggestions on people we should be interviewing. Suggestions can be made using the form at: www.muizenbergheritage.com/our-projects

Submit your photos, memories or other information to us at: info@muizenbergheritage.com

Become a volunteer. We need project managers, videographers, researchers, transcribers, workshop facilitators and administrators. To volunteer, submit a brief CV to us at info@muizenbergheritage.com

Help us make this ambitious project a reality. Make a donation to our efforts - mail us oninfo@muizenbergheritage.com

Press release issued on 08 January 2025