Manie van der Hoven a.k.a. “Justasurferdude”.
Justasurferdude Adventure Lifestyle is built on the belief that a good life is not accidental — it is shaped through awareness, balance, and conscious choices.
My path here has not been linear. It has been experiential.
I began my professional life in science, earning a Master’s degree in Chemistry (M.Sc), followed by a Higher Education Diploma (HED) that led me into teaching. Those early years shaped how I think, explain, and work with people — grounding curiosity in structure, and ideas in clarity.
I later moved into the international oil and gas industry, working as an Environmental Manager. This role took me across the world, where I was responsible for training, facilitation, and environmental leadership in demanding, high-pressure environments. It was valuable work — and it also made one thing clear: success without balance comes at a cost.
That realization led me outdoors and eventually into photography. What began as a lifestyle shift grew into a profession, allowing me to combine creativity, adventure, and presence. Photography taught me how to slow down, work with natural conditions, and pay attention — lessons that extend far beyond the camera.
Alongside this, a long-standing interest in psychology, philosophy, writing, and human behaviour continued to deepen. Over time, it became clear that the real work was not only about images or experiences, but about helping people make sense of their inner landscapes. This led me to formally qualify as a certified life coach, bringing together years of study, observation, and lived experience.
Today, Justasurferdude Adventure Lifestyle brings all of these threads together — science and creativity, structure and intuition, adventure and reflection. Through photography, mindful experiences, writing, and coaching, the work creates space for people to slow down, gain clarity, and live more intentionally.
This is not about escape.
It’s about alignment — with yourself, your values, and the life you are choosing to live.
