Left: Christians from the township church, set up by surfer minister Andre le Roux, and surfers gather on the beach in Jeffrey's Bay. This would have been impossible in the Aparthied Era. Right, top: Roy Harley, pioneer of 'Son Surf', South Africa's National Christian surfers organisation. Overlooking Robben Island from Table View beach, Cape Town. Bottom: Hennie, a convert through Andre le Roux's Christian surf packers hostel, makes a public declaration of his faith at his baptism, held on the beach at the world famous Jeffrey's Bay Supertubes.
In a country famous for its great waves a group known as the "spirit surfers" lives by a very simple philosophy – surfing is a lifestyle – and despite the stereotypes, one that is passionately Christian. With the freedom of prayer meetings and church services on the beach they hope to influence the surfer community with their talent for the waves and strong faith. As Roy Harley, the pioneer of Son Surf, South Africa (a branch of the International Son Surf Christian Surfer Organisation) said, " Surfers are the best missionaries, as they are accepted world wide as long as they can ride the waves. This gives them an open door to preach the gospel to whomever they meet across this globe".
