The free surf group in Muizenberg that moms are raving about

New friends, new skills, and child-free self-care in the sea

Last updated: Tuesday, 9 September 2025

Single foster mom and adoptive mom, Sue Gray, calls it her “sea therapy”, while Emily Innes, who has children with special medical needs, says that this hour in the water “fills our cups in so many different ways”. These are just two of the women who join Moms on Board, a social group where moms can get free surfboards, wetsuits and lessons every Tuesday.

Moms on Board posing for a pre-surf picture. Image: Sharon Waugh

MOMS RAVE ABOUT THE BENEFITS

The group is committed. They meet at Lifestyle Surf Shop in Muizenberg all year-round (surfing conditions are often best in winter), because, as Sue shares, the mental health benefits help her cope with the pressures of parenting. 

“Surfing is my nervous system regulator. I feel so much better, my bandwidth is greater, and I’m a better and more fun parent.” 

For other moms, it provides a space to make new friends, with many of them meeting at the coffee shop next door after their surf. And because it’s a moms-only group (no children allowed), it's the few hours a week that these moms get to connect with others, and with themselves, outside the role of motherhood. 

“As moms, we don't make a lot of time for ourselves. There's very little that is geared specifically for us, so this hour in the water is absolute gold,” says Emily. 

You’ll see moms of all ages (even grandmothers). 64-year-old Moms on Board member, Tania Bownes, learnt to surf at 59 and recently joined her first ladies' surfing event.

Mom of two, Emily, says Moms on Board is the highlight of her week. Image: Moms on Board

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The Moms on Board group meets at Lifestyle Surf Shop every Tuesday at 9.15am to change into wetsuits, with the group coaching session taking place from 9.30am to 10.30am.

Many of the moms have full-time jobs and arrange their busy schedules around the coaching session. If you can’t make it, the rental is still free for moms for a solo session (8am to 11am). 

All you need to do is bring your own swimming costume and towel. You get a surfboard, wetsuit, coaching session, and even a warm shower afterwards. Everything is free so that as many moms as possible can join. 

The 9.30am group coaching session. Image: Sharon Waugh

HOW CAN I JOIN?

Weather and wave conditions are communicated via a WhatsApp group, which you can join when signing up via the Moms on Board website. 

Watch the story of Moms on Board, and meet some of the moms, on CapeTownMagazine.com’s Instagram.

Moms go for coffee together after a Tuesday morning surf session. Image: Moms on Board

JOIN MOMS ON BOARD

Moms on Board free rental: Every Tuesday from 8am - 11am

Group coaching: Every Tuesday from 9.30am - 10.30am

Find it: Lifestyle Surf Shop, 21 York Road, Muizenberg

Sign up: Via the Moms on Board website
Contact on: 021 788 8218

By Sharon Waugh

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