“Matthew is in a space where he can become more of what he’s meant to be, rather than what other people expect him to be”. Through surf therapy, Bonita’s son, once facing unique academic challenges, found purpose, growth and a unique way to unlock his potential.
Lansdowne, South Africa (12 November 2025) – When foster mum Bonita Hendricks realised that her 12-year-old foster son, Matthew, faced unique academic challenges, she became concerned that he would lose faith in his abilities without the right support.
“He came into my life as a very young baby, a couple of weeks old. We found that he needed special care, special treatment, and we’ve been on this journey trying to work out what’s best for him at this time,” she shares in a video.
In her efforts to help Matthew and build his confidence, Bonita looked into surf therapy and soon discovered an organisation that stood out.
“I had known that there was surf therapy happening. I didn’t know the actual names of the places, so I googled. I found Waves for Changes, which sort of rang a bell with me. I’m very grateful for that because it was a change in Matthew’s life. It became the highlight of his week,” Bonita says.
She opened up about Matthew having an issue with water and how she wasn’t too sure if surf therapy would be the right fit for him. But she soon learned that there was a programme that would introduce him to the coaches and other children first before being introduced to the water – settling Bonita’s concerns.
The coaches have played a significant role in Matthews’ surf therapy journey. At Waves for Change, he feels seen, and he trusts his coaches.
One coach shared that Matthew initially kept to himself and wasn’t comfortable in the water. However, he’s now doing well and doing tricks other kids can’t even do on the boogie boards in the water.
Tailored for high-stress environments and the unique mental wellness needs of communities living in multidimensional poverty, surf therapy works with the knowledge that adolescents need a place to feel safe and to belong, which is often not at home or school – it’s a third space that can be created through the programme.
Having witnessed the growth and positive change in Matthew, Bonita believes it was the best step forward for him.
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“I think surf therapy has helped him build tenacity. There are some things that you need to experience to be able to grow through. It’s about learning differently. It’s about achieving differently.
“Matthew is in a space where he can become more of what he’s meant to be, rather than what other people are expecting him to be. He’s growing up, wiser and stronger, and I’m very grateful for that.”
Sources: Waves for Change
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