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AFROSURF
Discover the untold story of African surf culture in this glorious and colorful collection of profiles, essays, photographs, and illustrations.
AFROSURF is the first book to capture and celebrate the surfing culture of Africa. This unprecedented collection is compiled by Mami Wata, a Cape Town surf company that fiercely believes in the power of African surf. Mami Wata brings together its co-founder Selema Masekela and some of Africa's finest photographers, thinkers, writers, and surfers to explore the unique culture of eighteen coastal countries, from Morocco to Somalia, Mozambique, South Africa, and beyond. Packed with over fifty essays, AFROSURF features surfer and skater profiles, thought pieces, poems, photos, illustrations, ephemera, recipes, and a mini comic, all wrapped in an astounding design that captures the diversity and character of Africa.
A creative force of good in their continent, Mami Wata sources and manufactures all their wares in Africa and works with communities to strengthen local economies through surf tourism. With this mission in mind, Mami Wata is donating 100% of their proceeds to support two African surf therapy organizations, Waves for Change and Surfers Not Street Children.
AFROSURF is the first book to capture and celebrate the surfing culture of Africa. This unprecedented collection is compiled by Mami Wata, a Cape Town surf company that fiercely believes in the power of African surf. Mami Wata brings together its co-founder Selema Masekela and some of Africa's finest photographers, thinkers, writers, and surfers to explore the unique culture of eighteen coastal countries, from Morocco to Somalia, Mozambique, South Africa, and beyond. Packed with over fifty essays, AFROSURF features surfer and skater profiles, thought pieces, poems, photos, illustrations, ephemera, recipes, and a mini comic, all wrapped in an astounding design that captures the diversity and character of Africa.
A creative force of good in their continent, Mami Wata sources and manufactures all their wares in Africa and works with communities to strengthen local economies through surf tourism. With this mission in mind, Mami Wata is donating 100% of their proceeds to support two African surf therapy organizations, Waves for Change and Surfers Not Street Children.
300 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 2, 2021
February 2021 Reading Wrap-Up
Surfing started in Africa. Most of us only ever think of California or Australia when we think of surfing.
Being from the UK I also think of Cornwall, and that's where the surf shop that wrote this book is based. This is the first-edition print my cousin got from funding the kickstarter, the book is going to be more widely available this summer.
This book showcases established and rising stars in the African surf scene, which is so large that this book also has to be fairly large! We have at least 50 surfers profiled here and there's a lot of diversity on a lot of counts. I'm not a 'surfer' but I've got a lot of respect and vibe with them, I've taken lessons and went body boarding a lot of times coming from a coastal town. The surf scene, much like the skate scene and even the punk rock scene, celebrates a nomadic freespirited counter-culture movement which I think would celebrate diversity in all its forms and yet it's often marketed in a way that doesn't capture the open-mindedness of the people that actually do it. It's cool that things like Afrosurf exist, so kids don't grow up thinking they aren't born for certain forms of expression. These things are making the culture better reflected by their marketing mediums. They're also just cool, this is such a high quality book full of great photographs and typography, which the cover no doubt already suggests.
What you gather from this book is what brings people to surfing, especially in Africa. Surfing often keeps youths out of bad neighborhoods and habits, and offers platforms for teaching that many creative people enjoy. Surfing is a lifestyle, but every surfer has their own expression and way of finding it. Not only do African surfers have a highly varied and seemingly particularly strong religious association with surfing, many seeing it as a connection with the water spirit, Mami Wata. Other elements of African culture are explored though surfing, from Rastafarianism, avoiding the military draft, and racial representation in the pro surfer scene. This is a great book for inspiring people to get into surfing, or any creative pursuit really. A clear departure from what I normally read, but every now again I see a cover or title so unusually eye-catching that I feel like impulsively giving it a chance. I'm glad I did.
Surfing started in Africa. Most of us only ever think of California or Australia when we think of surfing.
Being from the UK I also think of Cornwall, and that's where the surf shop that wrote this book is based. This is the first-edition print my cousin got from funding the kickstarter, the book is going to be more widely available this summer.
This book showcases established and rising stars in the African surf scene, which is so large that this book also has to be fairly large! We have at least 50 surfers profiled here and there's a lot of diversity on a lot of counts. I'm not a 'surfer' but I've got a lot of respect and vibe with them, I've taken lessons and went body boarding a lot of times coming from a coastal town. The surf scene, much like the skate scene and even the punk rock scene, celebrates a nomadic freespirited counter-culture movement which I think would celebrate diversity in all its forms and yet it's often marketed in a way that doesn't capture the open-mindedness of the people that actually do it. It's cool that things like Afrosurf exist, so kids don't grow up thinking they aren't born for certain forms of expression. These things are making the culture better reflected by their marketing mediums. They're also just cool, this is such a high quality book full of great photographs and typography, which the cover no doubt already suggests.
What you gather from this book is what brings people to surfing, especially in Africa. Surfing often keeps youths out of bad neighborhoods and habits, and offers platforms for teaching that many creative people enjoy. Surfing is a lifestyle, but every surfer has their own expression and way of finding it. Not only do African surfers have a highly varied and seemingly particularly strong religious association with surfing, many seeing it as a connection with the water spirit, Mami Wata. Other elements of African culture are explored though surfing, from Rastafarianism, avoiding the military draft, and racial representation in the pro surfer scene. This is a great book for inspiring people to get into surfing, or any creative pursuit really. A clear departure from what I normally read, but every now again I see a cover or title so unusually eye-catching that I feel like impulsively giving it a chance. I'm glad I did.
October 14, 2021
Various thoughts while reading this book (in no particular order):
I love this book.
This is just dope.
Black people do everything and we do it well.
Of course the first written account of surfing was in Africa. 1640.
Wow!!!
What in the...how the hell did you not drown?!?
Nicole Sweet is a magical photographer.
Damn that's truly beautiful.
I'm going to the beach.
Black people can literally do anything.
Oh look, a white guy. Lol!
I love being black.
The images are so fantastic and just breath taking. Otherworldly. The words are equally fantastic; the passion and reverence these surfers have for the sport, for the culture and for Africa is inspiring.
I love this book.
This is just dope.
Black people do everything and we do it well.
Of course the first written account of surfing was in Africa. 1640.
Wow!!!
What in the...how the hell did you not drown?!?
Nicole Sweet is a magical photographer.
Damn that's truly beautiful.
I'm going to the beach.
Black people can literally do anything.
Oh look, a white guy. Lol!
I love being black.
The images are so fantastic and just breath taking. Otherworldly. The words are equally fantastic; the passion and reverence these surfers have for the sport, for the culture and for Africa is inspiring.
May 1, 2022
The authors remind the readers that Africa has "more accessible coast than anywhere on the planet". Africa's surfing did not begin with "Endless Summer". The continent has a 1000 year history with 1640 as a date of acknowledged surfing in Ghana 1834 as the first written account.
The book is arranged by location. It is full of color photos. Most are show the surfers and their sport, but others show land and seascapes, markets, skate boards, hand made bikes, art works and food.
Along with the photos are 1-3 page narratives. Most are written by surfers some of whom have competed internationally, but most are people who just love the sport. There are also poems, a folk tale, essays, recipes (and instructions on "how to eat from a shared plate of food.") and narratives by a surf board maker, a photographer, students and surfing teachers.
The book is filled with male surfers - their portraits and their narratives - only 6 women are profiled..
If you want a unique coffee table book - one that you might actually read - this is for you.
The book is arranged by location. It is full of color photos. Most are show the surfers and their sport, but others show land and seascapes, markets, skate boards, hand made bikes, art works and food.
Along with the photos are 1-3 page narratives. Most are written by surfers some of whom have competed internationally, but most are people who just love the sport. There are also poems, a folk tale, essays, recipes (and instructions on "how to eat from a shared plate of food.") and narratives by a surf board maker, a photographer, students and surfing teachers.
The book is filled with male surfers - their portraits and their narratives - only 6 women are profiled..
If you want a unique coffee table book - one that you might actually read - this is for you.
March 7, 2022
4.5 Visually and creatively this book was beautiful. The blurbs and different perspectives on their respective surf scenes were amazing. This is such a big book but I still wanted more. I know this was curated but it did leave me wondering whether there were more women on the surf scenes that hadn't captured the limelight.
June 11, 2025
Africa has always had, and continues to possess a rich, vibrant surfing culture. This book does a phenomenal job of highlighting different surfers, countries, and ways that the people on the continent enjoy the beautiful sport!
April 2, 2026
The artwork and layout here are intricately and wonderfully made. I appreciate the respect given to individual stories. Each profile is pretty much a transcript of each person’s interview, so we get unvarnished voices and perspectives. It also seems special care was taken to get as much representation across the continent as possible. The narrative structure becomes redundant after a while so loses steam, and, as I’ve mentioned before, there’s too little representation of women and queer people. But overall, a beautiful project.
July 20, 2021
Catch a wave
Probably a better coffee table book than an Ebook. It's a collection of life experiences and photos of African surfers and those connected to the ocean. Lots of stories of South African surfers being forced off, "White only" beaches and left to surf dangerous "black only" surf zones. Not surprising given the times they happened in. Doesn't make it a good thing, though.
Probably a better coffee table book than an Ebook. It's a collection of life experiences and photos of African surfers and those connected to the ocean. Lots of stories of South African surfers being forced off, "White only" beaches and left to surf dangerous "black only" surf zones. Not surprising given the times they happened in. Doesn't make it a good thing, though.
March 30, 2025
such a beautiful book and can’t believe this is the first surf book i read that isn’t about a white surfer - incredible mix of culture, photos, and history! Already wanted to explore western and southern africa surf culture and now want to even more!
July 9, 2022
so fantastic that this book exists. the concept is beautiful, and the design is SO satisfying and rad. the text for the surfers who are featured sometimes reads a little awkward, like we’re clearly missing the interviewer’s questions. but the whole work feels like an awesome kaleidoscope of all the ocean edges of the continent, just wonderful to dip into.
May 13, 2023
A really unique and interesting book which functions quite nicely as a “coffee-table” tomb. It’s literally huge, in length and size and is filled with wonderful present-day photos while depicting the history of surfing culture in various African nations and countries. The book argues that elements of a surfing culture arose along the African coast concurrently with that in Pacific island nations. Eventually there has been an influx of European surfers who’ve helped nurture this culture as either teaching mentors or financial supporters. The book is filled will firsthand accounts of surfers from across the continent whom all speak of the importance of this sport/lifestyle on their own personal happiness and livelihood. The stories are fascinating and are interwoven with local beliefs and customs about nature, water, spirituality and the like. There are even a few recipes of some very unique meals at the books conclusion. The book was definitely outside of my usual reading repertoire but I really enjoyed all that I read and learned.
November 19, 2022
The most beautiful surf book I’ve ever read. So visually mesmerizing one feels cool just having this book, the pages breathe soul, you can’t read it without wanting to get into the water. I love the representation of the African diaspora, the sharing of joys and struggles, beliefs, culture, music, style— mami wata!
July 3, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this book. I have always been intrigued by surfing, but have never had the opportunity to try it. I enjoyed learning about the impact that surfing has had in Africa's various countries.
April 7, 2022
Beautiful book, beautiful people, beautiful sport/lifestyle. The blue/italic print was a bit hard to read but I loved this nonetheless.
March 26, 2026
awesome visuals! all books should be like this
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews