Gourmet fun

You and your teenager can explore new ways of cooking or new flavours and cuisines together. If you choose an exotic course, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn about that culture. Try a sushi or braai class for something different, or sign up for a baking or cake decorating course. Not only is this a fun, social experience, it also helps children learn the basics of cooking, something that will stay with them throughout their lives. The equipment and ingredients are usually all provided, plus you often get to sit down together at the end of a class and enjoy what you have cooked.

where to go

Cooking Cooks Find them in Westville. Contact: 031 266 8488, info@cookingcooks.co.za or visit cookingcooks.co.za
Fusion Cooking School Situated in Westville. Contact: 031 262 0621, info@fusioncooking.co.za or visit fusioncooking.co.za
Gecko Culinary Adventures Based in Musgrave. Contact: 031 209 4555, cooking@geckoschool.co.za, visit geckoschool.co.za or visit Facebook: Gecko Culinary Adventures
Meryl’s School of Cooking Their kitchen is in Kloof. Contact: 031 764 6577, meryl@merylschoolofcooking.co.za or visit merylschoolofcooking.co.za

Get sporty

If you and your teenager both enjoy exercise or just being outdoors, there are plenty of choices for you. Perhaps you both like a challenge or you’re looking for a good opportunity to get fit together. You can join a mountain bike club, take up martial arts or try your hand at mountain climbing. Not only will you get the exercise you need, but you will also be supporting each other through the challenge and learning a new skill along the way. Sporting activities often provide a great opportunity to visit new places. Check what age and skill levels each venue caters for and what gear you’ll need to take for each of you.

where to go

Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park There are trails, tracks and more. Situated in Westmead. Contact: 031 769 1527, info@gibagorge.co.za or visit gibagorge.co.za
Holla Trails Go mountain biking five minutes out of Ballito at Collisheen Estate. Contact: 074 897 8559, trailmaster@hollatrails.co.za or visit hollatrails.co.za
Shaolin Kung Fu They offer classes and one-on-one tuition in kung fu, t’ai chi and chi kung. Find them in Morningside. Contact: 084 556 4190, shaolinkf@mweb.co.za or visit kungfu-durban.co.za
Southern Rock Climbing Centre They offer climbing courses, training, gear rental and outings. They’re based in New Germany. Contact: 031 705 3842, info@southernrockgym.co.za or visit southernrockgym.co.za

Learn a language

Are you planning a holiday to an exotic location for you and your teenager? Or perhaps you’re both interested in different cultures or countries. Take some language classes to improve your knowledge and so that you can communicate with locals. Learning a language also sets your child up for future opportunities and possibilities after leaving school, either in South Africa or abroad. Plus the pair of you will be able to speak a language the rest of your friends and family don’t know.

where to go

Alliance Française Based in Windermere, they offer French, Zulu, Portuguese and English for French speakers. Contact: 031 312 9582, afdbn@global.co.za or visit alliance.org.za
Dante Aligheiri Language courses are available at all levels in Italian, and in Spanish, Chinese, German, Hindi, Russian, Afrikaans and Latin. Contact: 031 563 7633, 073 852 2482, ladante@dantedurban.com or visit dantedurban.com
Durban Language Centre They offer Zulu, Spanish, French, German and English language courses, and are based in Musgrave. Contact: 031 201 3448, 031 201 6990, info@durbanlanguage.com or visit durbanlanguage.com

Point break

Have you always wanted to learn how to surf or kite surf, but never had the nerve? Now is the chance for you and your teenager to take to the waves. Surfing has various health benefits, from strengthening arms, legs and back to improving core strength. Those who surf can also use the time to work off stress and tension. And once you’ve learnt how to surf, you can spend time out on the water together. Find out if you can hire a board, or if you need to bring your own. Also make sure your child is strong enough to handle the surfboard or kite before heading out.

where to go

Kitesports Based at Umdloti. Contact: 031 568 2644, info@kitesports.co.za or visit kitesports.co.za
Learn 2 Surf Schools are available in Durban and Margate. Contact: 083 414 0567 or visit learn2surf.co.za
Ocean Ventures They offer surf lessons and sea kayaking and are based at the beachfront promenade at uShaka Marine World. Contact: 086 100 1138, info@oceanventures.co.za or visit oceanventures.co.za
Roxy Learn to Surf and Come Surf with Quicksilver Lessons take place at Addington Beach. Contact: 076 877 5143, roxylearn2surfdurban@gmail.com or visit roxy.co.za

Make some noise

If you and your teenager want to work on a musical talent, or share your favourite guitar riffs with each other, spend a few hours a week learning an instrument together. Learning a musical instrument also improves memory, teaches discipline, helps boost confidence, especially when performing in public, and lets you work off stress. Music schools may provide instruments for you, or you can invest in your own.

where to go

Durban Music School Situated at 21 Diakonia Ave, Durban, they offer tuition in various instruments. Contact: 031 304 1001, durbanmusicschool@iburst.co.za or visit durbanmusicschool.org.za
Highway Music School For classes in piano, keyboard, guitar and vocals. Contact: 082 822 0727 or highwaymusicschool@gmail.com
The Music School Umhlanga Contact: 072 395 3400, jill@themusicschool.co.za, ray@themusicschool.co.za or visit themusicschool.co.za

For the thrill of it

If classes aren’t your thing or you and your teenager are looking for a once-off adventure, try these activities: