Help out and make improvements at a cool backpackers and surf camp in Swakopmund, Namibia

  • Favourited 1130 times
  • Last activity: 27 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: 1 month or more

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We opened in July 2017 but this place is a long-term project in that it is to continually grow and improve. Olli and Iris together run the surf house and the surf school (which caters to both locals and visitors), as well as a non-profit project aiming at uplifting children from local communities through surfing and a sustainable way of life.

    Along with the owners, the surf camp manager, the yoga instructor and volunteers, who are mainly dedicated to admin and projects, the staff includes Albertina and Molien, the housekeepers, Wilhelm, the gardener, Rivaldo, in charge of surfboard repairs and general maintenance and Born, his assistant and one of the participants in our non-profit project.

    Having only 14 beds we are a small establishment and are situated in Namibia's tourist hub on the rugged Atlantic Ocean coastline in the town of Swakopmund. We are the only accommodation in Swakopmund geared towards surfers - it's only one hour to the world-famous Skeleton Bay and many other surf spots are nearby.

    There are daily routine tasks like setting up the breakfast buffet, reception duties, feeding animals - but helpers can and should also get involved (using their own skills, creativity and initiative) in projects ranging from gardening to decoration to general maintenance to adding new facilities and so forth. Join us for 8 weeks at the surf camp, spots are available from the 1st day of the following months: December, February, April, June, August and October.

    Whatever your expertise is, we'll be organizing a training day for you to make you feel part of the salty crew!

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    Art Projects
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    Hospitality/Tourism
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Meet cool local people, surf, make new friends, do and eat as the locals do. Swakopmund is a small town but the town and area have so much to offer! Being here, I hope, will also teach visitors a thing or two about sustainable urban living.

  • Help

    Help

    We have at least three volunteers whenever possible and daily, we have cleaning staff. Volunteers fill the gaps in between and add an international flair while contributing with their unique skills, personalities, and interests. You will be busy 5h daily for 5 days a week and good communication and teamwork with other staff will ensure that the salty ship sails smoothly.

    Most of the tasks happen in the mornings, afternoons are quite relaxed so volunteers can explore the area, chill with guests, help on projects or cook for guests to earn some spending money. And of course surf! Other than accommodation and surfing, volunteers can also enjoy our buffet breakfast, which is on offer on a daily basis to all guests.

    As a volunteer, you are expected to be at the backpackers during your shift to check guests in and out, answer guest questions, answer the phone and doorbell. If we are quiet and if enough helpers are present it can be arranged that you can go on a trip for a few days.

    As you'll be working on the following projects make sure you have some of these specific skills/interests we are looking for from volunteers:
    *️️️️️️️️️️️ Cooking - volunteers as well the owners and the day manager, take turns and at least once a week cook a meal, that's how our cooking club works!
    * Gardening and landscaping - Wilhelm, our gardener, works twice a week so volunteers need to help the rest of the time taking care of the veggie/ herbs garden and greenhouse.
    * Social media and online marketing - we need volunteers to be involved in all our channels, including Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok and Youtube by engaging in these channels and adding new content.
    * Content creation and repurposing for social media and blog, we're always looking for graphic designers, writers or SEO experts.
    * Photography, videography & video making, editing amazing footage of our surf life, surfing or camping trips.
    * Maintenance/ construction and working with tools and power tools to keep the property in top shape or add new facilities - it is an ongoing project, in 2022 we'll be busy building an outdoor kitchen with pizza oven, adding a loft bed to one room and an outdoor shower.
    * Previous experience in accommodations/ surf camps is a plus but not a must.
    * Qualified surf instructors - we're also looking for ISA Surf instructors that can help during surf school lessons.
    * Pilates, fire dancers and yogis are always welcome
    * Job and entrepreneurial experience - you might be traveling during your gap and looking for a new adventure but if you already have work experience we'd be keen to exchange ideas and bring your unique entrepreneurial background along.
    *️️️️️️️️️️️ Murals and decoration - artists are also welcome as long as their want to leave a piece of their art in our beautiful place!

    Helpers should have the following attributes:
    *️️️️use own initiative, be observant with an attention to detail to keep everything clean, tidy and running smoothly
    *️️️️️️️️️️️practical/problem solving
    *️️️️️️️️️️️motivated to get a task done quickly and efficiently
    *️️️️️️️️️️️creative use of materials and resources
    *clear & timely communication with the rest of the team
    *Help independently without supervision

    IMPORTANT: When applying to volunteer with us, please be specific about which skills/interests (from the above) you want to help with most:)

  • Languages spoken

    Afrikaans: Fluent
    German: Fluent
    English: Fluent
    Italian: Fluent
    Albanian: Fluent
    Dutch: Intermediate
    French: Beginner

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Your own lockable dorm in the main house of the backpackers, which sleeps a maximum of 4 volunteers. You share the kitchen, bathroom, lounge and dining room.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Some more info on the job and location:
    -Smoking allowed outside
    -5 minutes walk to shops and town centre - the ocean is 10 minutes walk away.
    -Our town is ideal to walk or cycle and we have bicycles available.
    -Transport to Swakopmund, Namibia is at helper's expense
    -Disclaimer: We as the host are not responsible for any loss/injury sustained during your stay here and it is recommended to have travel insurance for medical emergencies.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We have unlimited Fiber Optic Wi-Fi and an affordable coworking space 5 minutes walk away.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Yes, there is a large off-street parking lot with enough space.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 426581267534

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