At the age of two, can a child really have dreams or aspirations? Can they shape their future or control where they live? For most of us, the answer is no—after all, who can even recall that time, let alone make plans for the future? This was the reality for Paul Sampson, who, at just two years old, found himself homeless on the streets of Muizenberg, Cape Town alongside his mother, who worked as a car guard.
Sampson’s exposure to surfing came early, thanks to the kindness of a local man, Shafiek Khan. By the age of six, Paul had been taken under Khan’s wing through a surf program that aimed to teach children the art of surfing. Sampson recalls the profound impact this program had on the lives of many, including his own. “Mr. Khan’s compassion changed dozens of lives. He fed us, taught us how to surf, and gave us hope,” Sampson reflects. This was the beginning of his surfing journey.
“I started surfing at the young age of six and have progressed through all levels of this wonderful sport, from the Grom Games for young surfers to the professional tour in Africa under the International World Surf League (WSL),” he shares.
Now, at 24, Sampson is showcasing his surfing talent to the world. He is one of only five male surfers from across Africa to reach the second level of the WSL Challenger Series, competing against 100 professional surfers from around the globe. For him, this achievement is the culmination of a lifelong dream.
“I feel good because this is what I have been working towards since the very beginning. This is my life purpose and what I was set out to be and do in life,” he says.
Currently, Sampson is preparing for the final rounds of the 2024 Challenger Series in Portugal and Brazil. However, his ambitions extend far beyond global recognition or personal success. He dreams of using his platform to uplift others, particularly young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“I want to help many kids and upcoming young people like myself. My purpose is to help and guide, to share my knowledge and journey to motivate as many young people with their dreams,” he explains. Upon returning to his community, Sampson hopes to establish the African Surfing Alliance Surf Club, where he can mentor and support aspiring surfers.
Paul Sampson’s journey from homelessness to the world stage is a story of resilience, hard work, and passion. Despite coming from a disadvantaged background, he has achieved groundbreaking success, serving as an inspiration to many residents of Retreat, where he currently resides.
He leaves fellow surfers with this piece of advice: “Remember, it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog. I may look like the mutt from the streets of Lavender Hill, but never take that as a sign of weakness.”
