About Us

WAVES for Development believes that surf travel should benefit the people and the communities where it happens. WAVES creates life-enriching experiences in coastal communities through Educational Surf programs that develop youth into healthy & empowered adults and Surf Voluntourism programs that engage travelers & transform their world view.

The idea for WAVES originated on the beaches of northern Peru in late 2004, when a group of local and international surfers shared a desire to help local youth with little resources enjoy surfing. Over the course of the next 3 years, WAVES formed a network over 30 dedicated individuals, organizations, and institutions in 10 countries. In 2007 a shipping container of surfboards arrived from Global Surf Industries to be used in WAVES' programming in Peru. In 2008, WAVES launched full-time Surf Voluntourism and Educational Surf Programs in Lobitos, Peru.

WAVES for Development International is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt public charity in the state of New York. Additionally, WAVES for Development is a formalized not-for-profit association in Peru and Switzerland. WAVES for Development Peru signed an agreement with the Peruvian Sports Institute and the Peruvian Surfing Federation to bring Educational Surf and Surf Voluntourism programming to communities throughout Peru.

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