In Senegal, Black surfers want to reclaim the waves despite lack of resources

Résumé détaillé

As the world watches Senegal host the Youth Olympic Games this month, Senegalese surfers hope they can get more resources and visibility on the global surf scene.

DAKAR, Senegal — Ibra Samb first saw people carrying surfboards when he was a little boy, studying at a Quran school in a fishing village in Senegal. Together with friends, he hid from teachers and parents and followed the surfers, who were all white foreigners, to the beach.

“They were gliding over the waves,” said the 28-year-old professional surfer. “To us, it was incredible. Seeing them stand up on their boards, we just wanted to try it ourselves.”

Samb and his friends could not afford surfboards, so they used pieces of plywood they found on the beach, leftovers from colorful pirogue fishing boats. Little did he know that surfing would eventually bring him opportunities to compete around the world, access to international sponsorships, and a sense of belonging and purpose.

As the world watches Senegal host the Youth Olympic Games this month — the first Olympic event ever held in Africa — Senegalese surfers hope they can get more resources and visibility on the global surf scene to be able to fulfill their potential.

The origins of surfing can be traced back to the native populations of Peru, Polynesia, and Hawaii. But today’s surfing, especially professional surfing, is predominantly white.

In West Africa, only a fortunate few can afford expensive equipment and training. A used beginner’s surfboard costs around $200, which is double the country’s monthly minimum wage.

For professionals, visas are hard to obtain and traveling is costly. Despite Africa’s extraordinary coastline, African surfers remain rare at the highest level of competitive surfing.

Samb wants to change that, he said, sitting at the doorstep of a small cabin that serves as the office of Anda surf school. He founded the school last year with Cherif Fall, a fellow professional surfer and a childhood friend. Alongside paid coaching sessions, they hold free weekly classes for kids from their native Ngor village.

“My dream today is that one day I’ll wake up and see that these kids, who have progressed…

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