Hello,
My name is Brett Davies, though most people in Ghana know me as Mr. Brights. For years, I've been deeply involved in the surfing community, and running a small surfing business here. Surfing has been a cornerstone of my life since my father introduced me to it over 42 years ago. His passion for the sport and its lifestyle was contagious, having discovered surfing during his travels in Australia in the late 1960s. What started as a short trip turned into a lifelong love affair, culminating in him crafting his first surfboard and eventually bringing leading surf brands like Da Kine to the UK.
Mr Brights
My own journey began at the age of 7, riding my first wave in Southwest France with my dad. That moment sparked a lifelong passion for surfing, leading me to compete at high levels and work within the industry, including work at one of the UK's leading surf shops Northshore in Newquay. Producing surfboards for 2 of Europe's leading surfboards manufactures and finally Rip Curl, where I became the European product manager for wetsuits and surfboards.
Coaching Alfred Lomax (Liberia), Peter & Bebe Ansah (Ghana). Cote D Ivoire 2012
In 2007, I discovered the pristine waves and vibrant culture of Ghana. Drawn by the potential to help cultivate a surfing community, I left my position at Rip Curl, became a certified surf coach, and moved to Ghana to set up Mr. Brights Surf Camp & Tours with my local business partner and friend. Our surf school has grown from a dream to a thriving community, introducing surfing to local youth and participating in international competitions.
Beyrick De Vries (SA),Peter Ansah (Ghana) Mikey February (SA), Billabong Pro Junior SA 2011
Over the past decade, I've organized many surfing competitions and donated surfboards across West Africa. We've help build a small but dedicated surfing community along the coast of Ghana, transforming lives and bringing new opportunities through surfing. Two years ago, we took the next step and built Ghana’s first-ever surfboard factory, the second in West Africa.
Michael Bentum (Ghana), Kokrobite Surf Festival Champion 2017
The Project
We are now operational, producing boards at Ghana’s first ever surfboard Factory, which would be the 2nd surfboard Factory in West Africa, the first was launched in Cote d’Ivoire 8 years back with the help of a good friend of mine Pierre Nicoud The West Factory.
MrBrightsslides board number 4
Kokrobite locals
MrBrightssides board number 3
In the past we've hosted surf workshops, with the support of two organizations called Provide The Slide and Smile Wave Fund. Provide the slide is a German/Swiss NGO that gathers boards throughout Europe and then donates them to the surfing communities throughout West Africa. So far, they have donated surfboards to Senegal, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Gambia and Ghana. We are their official partner in Ghana and in 2021 we organized the distribution of 60 boards to 6 surfing communities along the cost of Ghana teaching the kids valuable skills to look after the boards, repair them and other surf related skills.
Ding repair workshop
During the surf workshops, we hosted around 15 surfers from different surfing communities along the coast of Ghana and taught them how to repair boards, lifeguarding skills, surf coaching, and surf competition judging skills. Most of the attendees have been giving surfing lessons and some own their own surf schools, but none have had any professional training. The workshop was a great success and skills are already being used and shared with the younger generation.
How You Can Help
To date, we have built eight surfboards, now being used by locals in various surf communities along the coast of Ghana. Our ongoing goal is to continue producing boards to support local surfers, and in the near future, train local surfers in valuable surfboard building skills, paving the way for job opportunities.
Kofi, Busua Beach local grommet ripper, with board number 3
Each board costs approximately $300 to produce, covering materials and shipping. We need your support to raise funds and materials to keep this initiative alive and thriving.
Your support can make a significant difference. By contributing to our fundraiser, you'll help us:
- Equip local surfers with high-quality boards.
- Provide job training and opportunities.
- Promote surfing tourism, benefiting local businesses.
- Put Ghana on the international surfing map.
Together, we can achieve something truly special for the surfing community in Ghana. Thank you for considering our cause and being a part of this exciting journey.
Kind regards,
Brett Davies (Mr. Brights)