Zanandriaky - Children of the Ocean

When you are born in Fort-Dauphin, you can't help but love going to the beach! Moreover, we have the incredible chance to have surf spots right in town! Ankoba beach or Monseigneur bay in case of south wind, further about 5-7km Ambinanibe and Bevava beach for the best trained, we embrace the waves that Mother Earth generously gives us. We have made surfing our passion, but some rely on it for their sole livelihood.

It was in 1960 that the Aubert brothers brought two "Barland" boards from Bayonne to Fort-Dauphin for the first time, followed by the Daumas brothers. One of the first surfers of Fort-Dauphin to share this experience with them was Marcel Ravelomanantsoa, whose son Joe Kennedy is the reigning Madagascar Open Champion.

Since then, more and more people have started surfing from a very young age. The most diligent ones have become champions, but also instructors, which allows them to earn a little money to feed their family three meals per day, something a rare “luxury” in these parts.

There are currently 3 surf clubs in Fort-Dauphin, all part of the "Ligue Anôsy de Surf":

• Born Naked
• Association Surfeur Avenir de Fort-Dauphin
• Monseigneur Bay Club

We would like to support these very ambitious young people who lack the means, by proposing you a half day in the life of a Zanandriaky. In addition to the surfing lessons (with equipment provided), the surfers will take you home to present their way of life and share their culture with you.

In the past, this extreme sport was practiced with "balsa-fantsilohitra" boards in Fort-Dauphin. But the last few years, some surfing clubs in Reunion Island or other private donors have understood the situation of these children and have offered them several equipments including: boards, wax, surfingsuits etc.

Others have even sponsored for their entire school year for only $50 USD a year. As they can't even afford to have food on the table every day, public schools, which are not free in our country, are not even an option for them. So partaking in this experience allows you to help them now in their present, and for their future!

Spoken Languages:

• English, French & Malagasy