Ali & Rich, owners of SA Surfari, South African Surf Tours, opened up camp at Umzumbe Surf House in 2013. A once run down, unattended family cottage, Ali and Rich renovated the property into a comfortable camp for their surf tour guests. They now open their doors to the extended surf community whether it be local Durbanites, J'burgs city slickers, international travelers and anyone keen on a surf lifestyle. They are truly passionate about sharing the stoke of surfing with their guests and sharing the Umzumbe experience with all.
Rich Walters - Owner & Surf Instructor
Rich grew up in Durban but spent his weekends and holidays on the South Coast, crawling around his families Surf House. Lucky enough to score epic surf for most of his life, surfing is now everything to Rich. When he isn't surfing around South Africa with guests or showing them Africas bush life, he's teaching surf lessons and running his surf camp.
Rich is happy to show anyone the ropes around Umzumbe Beach- where to swim, where to fish, where to snorkel, he'll take you diving, surfing, on guided hikes to the waterfalls or even to yoga class. He will definitely show you how to find the pub, with out any hesitation. He loves Umzumbe and loves sharing the experience of Umzumbe with his guests.
The Surf Camp was founded in 2013 to bring a bit of the SA Surfari experience from their surf trips, to Umzumbe. Seeing that there wasn't a prevalent surf school in the area, Ali and Rich brought their many years of experience in surf instruction to the South Coast. With almost 20 years of combined surf experience and 8 years of experience in teaching surf camps to kids and adults, it was only a matter of time before Umzumbe Surf Camp was established.
Built in 1916, by the Great Grandfather of Rich Walters, the simple beach house was designed as a get-away cottage for family holidays by the sea. The original building still stands at over 100 years old. Some of the wood furniture was handcrafted in the 1920's by the Walters men while on holiday and still stands strong in the house.
The house has 5 bedrooms, an open plan common area with lounge, dining area and kitchen, all with a sea view. There are 2 toilets and 2 baths inside the house that are shared amongst all. There are two airy outdoor showers to rinse off in, with hot water taps and a cool sea breeze. The outdoor lounge is very welcoming, hugged with couches and pillows for leisurely reading or afternoon siestas. The outside deck and patio was designed for nothing but chilling in the sunbathing lounge chairs, picnic tables, hammocks or swings under the fig tree.
The Surf Camp Property has 2 luxury yet rustic bungalows with kitchens, baths and outside showers.
The property has seen generations of fun in the sun, beach holidays, parties and honeymoons. There could be nothing better than to share that with more friends and family for many years to come.