A new generation of Senegalese surfers is emerging along the Atlantic coast, where local athletes strive to make surfing more accessible for children and young people in the fishing village of Ngor, near Dakar.
Professional surfers Ibra Samb and Cherif Fall founded Anda Surf in 2025, combining paid lessons with free weekly classes for local children. Their initiative is helping introduce boys and girls to the sport while creating opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills, according to the Associated Press.
The founders' own experience reflects the challenges facing Senegalese surfers. As children, Samb and his friends couldn't afford proper surfboards and learned to ride waves on pieces of plywood found on the beach. Today, they are passing their experience on to younger residents of Ngor through the Anda Surf Club, which also works to connect local athletes with equipment, coaching and international opportunities.
During a recent Sunday session, around 20 children aged between seven and 14 took part in training, practising basic movements on the sand before heading into the water. Both boys and girls joined the lessons, with some young participants already dreaming of professional careers.
One of them is 13-year-old Katy Samba, Ibra Samb's niece, who hopes to become a professional surfer. Her experience reflects how greater access to sport is helping girls gain confidence and challenge traditional expectations in their communities.
However, growing interest in surfing has exposed a shortage of resources. A used beginner surfboard costs around $200, approximately twice Senegal's monthly minimum wage. Children often have to share boards, while suitable clothing and wetsuits remain difficult to obtain. Volunteer instructors also struggle to meet demand.
Environmental challenges are another concern for the country's surfing community. Sewage and plastic pollution threaten coastal waters, creating additional obstacles for young athletes and the development of surfing as a local sport.
Senegal has a long Atlantic coastline and favourable surfing conditions, but financial barriers, limited access to equipment and the cost of international travel continue to restrict opportunities for local athletes.
Through initiatives such as Anda Surf, young Senegalese surfers are gradually gaining access to the sport, while helping establish a stronger local surfing community and opening new opportunities for the next generation.
