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December 23, 2008 Youth participants from WAVES Educational Surf program in Lobitos competed in a surf contest to celebrate the end of the school year. Local representatives served as judges for the event that was held at the surf break “Punta Lobitos.” Competitions were held for both girls and boys of different ages. WAVES volunteers organized prizes for the participants. The contest marks the end of several months of successful programming being durring the school year in coordination with the local school. The programming included both activities and classes within the school and after-school and weekend classes for youth. WAVES Educational Surf programming will add additional activities for the months of January through April while youth are on summer vacation.  
 
December 23, 2008 WAVES volunteers and staff in Lobitos organized a bingo to celebrate the holidays with the community. Over 250 men, women and children attended the event in the town plaza. Prizes were made possible by the fundraising efforts of volunteers from Holland. Following the bingo, attendees enjoyed a holiday treat served by WAVES volunteers, staff, and youth participants. 
December 22, 2008 Josh Berry, Chile Country Manager of Save the Waves, began the blog The Green Surfing Movement in 2006 at the same time Save the Waves Coalition began to spearhead efforts in Chile challenging local pulp mills that pollute the coastline and threaten several surfing areas. Save the Waves now works in Chile with activists, scientists and legal experts to solve coastal environmental problems. Josh is the writer of Pulp, Poo and Perfection - a short documentary investigating two issues threatening surfing and water quality in Chile: Pichilemu's sewage pipeline and the South's forestry industry pollution. At this year's New York Surf Film Festival Josh was given the WAVES Inspiration Award for his commitment and accomplishment in using surfing to make South America a better place. 
December 18, 2008 An article about WAVES for Development and its educational and volunteer programs in Peru appears in the latest issue of The Surfer's Path magazine. WAVES is excited to appear in The Surfer's Path, a surf publication that recognizes both the passions of surfers and the importance of sustainability in the sport. The article appears in the Land and Sea section of the magazine. 
December 7, 2008
WAVES organized a visit to Lobitos by Dr Jessica Sabina Alvarez Castro. The doctor consulted with interested community members about health problems and ways to maintain good health. This is the second time she's been to Lobitos. Previously, Dr. Alvarez visited Lobitos to offer health physicals to participants. For her contribution, Dr. Alvarez was presented with certificate of appreciation.
December 3, 2008 WAVES for Development Switzerland participated in the Humagora event on November 4th. WAVES representatives were among 144 people representing 80 NGO's. They presented to over 100 people from some of the largest companies in Switzerland to demonstrate how volunteering with WAVES offers a unique sports and development activity that can be incorporated into their corporate social responsibility efforts. 
November 8, 2008 WAVES started ongoing Educational Surf and Adventure Voluntourism programming in Lobitos on October 27th. Five international volunteers and 3 WAVES staff members worked with local community members and officials to coordinate two weeks of special classes and activities to jump-start continual in-school and after-school programming. 
The first activity was held at the meeting house of the local fishing cooperative. Local WAVES representative and certified surf instructor Holggers Clavijo offered a workshop on Surfboard Theory and Maintenance. Youth got some hands on learning while going through the process of repairing a surfboard.
The programming attracted many new youth to participate. In total, nearly 38 youth between the ages of 8 and 26 attended WAVES after-school classes and activities. Swimming and surfing classes were held twice each week for interested boys and girls. Youth and their parents had a chance to learn about the importance of Environmental Conservation and how it relates to the ocean at community screenings of two Surfrider Foundation videos. Volunteers and local youth also collected 12 bags of trash from the beach at a Saturday beach clean up. 
Volunteers were able to interact with even more youth by coordinating with local teachers to assist in English and Physical Education classes at the secondary school. Three volunteers will continue to assist teachers in the local school throughout the end of the school year, in addition to offering English classes to interested community members in the evenings.
 
 
November 4, 2008 For the second year in a row, WAVES was present at the WCT Pro Woman's surf competition in Mancora, Peru. The first day of the competition, WAVES representatives handed out stickers and explained WAVES to contestants, fans, journalists, and local officials. The second day of competition was held in Lobitos due to small waves in Mancora. The move provided a great opportunity for the local youth WAVES works with to check out the competition and meet some of the competitors, including Karina Petroni, Jacqueline Silva, Silvana Lima, and defending world champion Stephanie Gilmore.  
 
October 29, 2008 Two representatives from the community of Huarmey, a coastal community located north of Lima in the department of Ancash, visited WAVES' program in Lobitos. The purpose of their trip was to observe WAVES' Educational Surf and Adventure Voluntourism programs and consider the possibilities for starting similar programs in Huarmey. The pair were accompanied by the tourism director of Antamina's Asociacion Ancash, who provided support for the visit.  The group observed English and swimming classes, and even participated in a surf class. They also met local officials from Lobitos and visited nearby caves. The group also had the opportunity to get to know WAVES staff and volunteers while living, cooking, and sharing meals in the home of a local family.
The delegation from Huarmey returned home with a presentation of WAVES and their experience to share with the other members of the Huarmey Tourism Board and the local government. The vistors left excited about the possibility for WAVES to offer an Expo and Huarmey's Festiverano celebration in February. 
October 16, 2008 WAVES Executive Director Dave Aabo and Operations Director Kevin Fitzpatrick made a presentation to the Rotary Club Lima Sunrise at the Hotel Marriott on October 16th. The pair enjoyed the club's weekly breakfast together with club members before making the presentation. The presentation included the history of WAVES, a video demonstrating current programs, and a look at the future of WAVES. Dave and Kevin also let participants know how they can get involved through spreading the word about WAVES, volunteering, and fundraising. September 6, 2008 WAVES for Development Switzerland held a special fundraising event on September 6th. Sylvain Gaeng, President of WAVES Switzerland, gave a presentation of WAVES' programs and work in the community of Lobitos. The presentation included the participation via video conference of WAVES for Development International Director David Aabo from New York and a WAVES Volunteer from Talara, Peru. Attendees enjoyed Peruvian food and drink, including cheviche, aji de gallina, and pisco sours. Guests danced to live performances of traditional and modern Peruvian music. The event raised more than $1,500 dollars for WAVES programming in Peru. Check out the 24 Heures article and Radio Chablais program about the event. (Both in French) 
August 20, 2008 From July 28th until August 8th, WAVES for Development held Phase II of its Educational Surf and Adventure Voluntourism Programs in Lobitos, Peru following the success of the Pilot Project in February.  Forty two local youth participated in the program which included language & arts, earth connection & entrepreneurship, and swimming & surfing. Combining all of the elements, the participants painted a mural of their vision for the future on the "new" 'WAVES Clubhouse' within the school compound. With the help of current and past students from the school and volunteers, the derelict original school building, most recently used only for storage, was converted into a fully functional classroom that houses the program's boards and wetsuits. The reparation was a learning exercise. English was spoken while painting, connecting the language and arts. Plastic bottles were sold to be recycled, connecting social entrepreneurship with the conservation.
 A delegation of representatives from the Puira and Lima offices of the Peruvian Sport Institute visited the program. Although Agusto Milliones flight was delayed and missed the closing ceremony barbecue (with over 300 hamburgers for participants and families), he did offer glowing praise for the programs and suggested the WAVES model be applied to other sports!
August 10, 2008 From the 15th to the 25th of July the Soul Surfers Foundation “Summer Tour with Care 2008” took place. The summer tour visited the Dutch / Belgium surf camps in France to create awareness for Sports and Development and specifically for WAVES for Development's projects in Peru. The Summer Tour was welcomed at the camps of Breakloose, Brunotti, Dutch Surf Experience, O’Neill en Surf in Beachcamps. Soul Surfers started the tour in by participating in the Village Green at the Jack Johnson Concert in The Hague, The Netherlands were they sold over 50 shirts. The tour offered participants the opportunity to play bingo and tombola games for prizes from Billabong, Brunotti, Etnies, Ocean Minded, O’Neill, Rip Curl, Vans, Quiksilver and Surftech. Bufo donated a recyclable board which Soul Surfers Foundation will raffle off on the 19th of September. 
August 8, 2008 WAVES for Development Switzerland introduced its organization and educational program in Peru to the Helvetic audience members that visited its stand. WAVES Switzerland made posters and videos available to the public. Additionally, WAVES Switzerland was able to collect its first donations. The next event is planned for September 6th in Vevy, Switzerland. 
July 8, 2008 Visit the Inter Press Service website to read the article “DEVELOPMENT: Tourism's New Wave,” by Enrique Gili. The article describes the work WAVES for Development is doing in Peru and it's vision for using surfing and voluntourism to change the lives of coastal community members around the world. WAVES founder David Aabo was interviewed for the article. He explained how the idea for WAVES originated and why voluntourism and surfing are the perfect match for communities like Lobitos, Peru.  
 
June 25, 2008 Participants from WAVES' pilot program in February continue to meet weekly to practice surfing skills and participate in activities. The weekend classes are led by local youth leaders from the Lobitos area. Recently youth used their creativity to produce artisan crafts from clay before hitting the beach for a group surf session. Youth in Lobitos are excitedly awaiting WAVES' next Educational Surf program to be held over the Peruvian independence day holiday. Classes during this “productive vacations” program will focus on life skills, environmental conservation, and healthy living. Once again, the program will bring volunteers from around the world to Lobitos to work with the youth. Ongoing programming for local youth and visiting voluntourists is scheduled to begin in late October.  June 10, 2008. WAVES for Development signed an agreement on May 19th with IPD (Instituto Peruano de Deporte) and FENTA (Federacion National Deportista de Tabla). The agreement formalizes the relationship between the organizations and outlines the work the organizations will perform together in the future. In 2007, IPD, in conjunction with the Peruvian Ministry of Education, played a key role in receiving a donation of 400 surfboards from Global Surf Industries. Global Surf Industries donated the surfboards to be used by WAVES in Educational Surf programs for at-risk youth in communities along the Peruvian coast. The agreement establishes that the surfboards will be officially transferred to WAVES, and WAVES will be responsible for working with FENTA to coordinate, implement, and monitor the Educational Surf programs throughout Peru. A team of lawyers from O'Melveny's New York office will assist WAVES in matters related to incorporation of the organization, filing for and obtaining tax-free status as a nonprofit organization, and the registration and protection of intellectual property.  May 7, 2008 WAVES for Development has been featured in the News section of The Surfer's Path website. The magazines informs and inspires travelling surfers in search of great waves. As a truly "green" surf magazine, The Surfer's Path recognizes the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability for communities and surfers around the world.  
 
April 17, 2008 Fulfilling a commitment made at the end of the Lobitos Pilot Project, local youth leaders have continued offering programming to at-risk in Lobitos. Every Friday and Saturday youth have the opportunity to participate in Surf instruction, English classes, and Basketball. The Surf and Basketball instruction is taught by youth leaders from Lobitos and nearby Talara. The English classes are taught by an American English instructor, currently working in Talara. Congratulations to Holggers Clavijo Arambulo on recently becoming a certified surf instructor. Holggers, a youth leader and volunteer from Talara, completed the Olas Peru surf instructor course in Lima. The opportunity was made available to Holggers thanks to the support of WAVES for Development Switzerland and Olas Peru. By organizing and leading the ongoing programming in Lobitos, Holggers is now using his new skills to help local youth experience the joys and benefits of surfing.  April 16, 2008 The National Geographic Society and Ashoka's Changemakers have introduced the first Geotourism Challenge to identify and showcase innovators in tourism development, management, and marketing. The one-of-a-kind online collaborative competition will raise awareness about how tourism can help sustain, enhance and preserve local culture and environment. WAVES for Development is a featured entrant in this initiative. WAVES' entry focuses on how surfing is used to promote the local heritage and environment of coastal communities in Peru. Local youth and international travelers share in experiential learning activities including English classes, beach clean-ups and swim & surf classes. The Geotourism Challenge is Changemakers' 15th collaborative competition and draws on Ashoka's 27 years of experience in identifying leading social entrepreneurs around the world. To date, the competitions have sourced more than 2,000 local innovations on various themes from more than 125 countries. WAVES for Development is honored to be part of this global movement to create social change through the tourism sector. April 14, 2008 WAVES partner tour operator Earth Sessions has released a new video chronicling WAVES Lobitos Pilot Project that took place in February 2008. The video includes interviews explaining the birth of the project, footage from the pilot's Educational Surf and Adventure Voluntourism programs and great shots of Lobitos and its community members making WAVES! 
April 7, 2008
WAVES for Development Advisor, Kevin Fitzpatrick, will will raise money to pay for the legal registration of WAVES for Development International as a 501c3 non-profit organization in the United States. Kevin will ask sponsors to make pledges for each mile he will run in three upcoming races: the 18.6-mile Peterson Ridge Rumble trail run in Sisters, OR on April 13th, the 26.2 Mile Big Sur International Marathon in Monterey, CA on April 27th, and the 10.4 Mile Hagg Lake Run on May 3rd. To cover the $2000* in registration and legal expenses, Kevin will need $36.66 in pledges for each of the 55 miles.
You can make your pledge by contacting Kevin directly: kevin@wavesfordevelopment.org. All donations will be collected via check or Paypay following the May 3rd run. As this date will follow the incorporation date of WAVES for Development International, donations will potentially be eligible for tax deductions as charitable contributions. * New York Certificate of Incorporation filing fee: $100, IRS filing fee for organizations raising over $10,000 annually: $700, Legal fees for filing Form 1023 for tax exempt (501c3) status: $1200. 
April 5, 2008 WAVES for Development has launched a new MySpace page design. The profile shares photos and information about WAVES and its projects, and provides answers to frequently asked questions. Check it out at www.myspace.com/wavesfordevelopment, and add WAVES as one of your friends! 
Lobitos youth celebrate a great 2 weeks with a surf contest. March 6, 2008 Lobitos, Piura, Peru. Thirty-eight youth ages 8-27 successfully completed the two-week long inaugural pilot project put on by WAVES for Development staff and Adventure Voluntourists. For some local participants it was their first exposure to not only the ocean and surfing, but English classes with native speakers. Over 20 garbage bags of trash were collected from the Lobitos beach. Additionally, in collaboration with the school Director and CEATA, a garden area was created and planted, within the confines of the school to be managed by the youth. Two sessions were held daily; younger participants in the morning and older ones in the afternoon. Both sections started each day with English or Environment Education (alternating days) and concluded with swim and surf classes led by Olas Peru Surf School and other BSA (British Surf Association) certified surf instructors provided by WAVES. At the Friday night closing ceremony certificates were presented to the participants, pins to the international volunteers and refreshments to the families. An informal surf contest was held Saturday morning for the participants and volunteers alike, where beginners and advanced surfers competed separately. Winners received donated clothing prizes. The next WAVES for Development Educational Surf Vacation Program will be held July 28th through August 8th during the school vacation. New volunteer opportunities will be announced soon. 
WAVES volunteers and Lobitos community members. February 18, 2008 The WAVES for Development - Peru Program Inauguration and two-week Pilot Project in Lobitos drew a crowd of roughly 120 men, women and youth from the area. The Lobitos governor and school director were joined by representatives of IPD, Olas Peru Surf Travel, CEATA, Talara Surf club, the Talara Tourism Office and the Lobitos Fishing Union in learning more about the Educational Surf Program and Adventure Voluntourism Programs offered by WAVES. After following the singing of the Peruvian National anthem and raising of the flag, a short program and chicken barbeque followed. Local representatives talked about how surf tourism is gaining popularity in the area. WAVES volunteers from England, the Netherlands, Australia, Switzerland, USA and Peru introduced themselves and their role in the programs and served the free meal. Local youth were enthused as classes are divided by age: 10-15 and 15-25. 48 youth signed up for the English and Art, Earth Connection and Swim/Surf classes. 
February 13, 2008 WAVES for Development's Pilot Project in Lobitos was featured in an article in El Tiempo, a Peruvian daily newspaper based in Piura, Peru. The article announced the start of the program Sunday, February 17th. Volunteers from the United States, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia, England as well as Peru will offer educational programming for local boys and girls will be on summer vacation. Activities are to be offered in four areas: Earth Connection (Environmental Awareness and Conservation), Language Arts (English lessons combined with Arts and Crafts), Swimming and Water Safety, and Surf Lessons. 
Dani Amico explains WAVES to Telefonica volunteers. February 8, 2008 WAVES for Development participated in the "Mentes Brillantes" (Brilliant Minds) Social Fair presented by Telefonica, a telecommunications provider in Peru. The fair is part of Telefonica's First National Contest of Social Projects. The contest gives Telefonica employees from across the country the opportunity to present social projects that they will participate in as volunteers. WAVES, along with 15 other associations, foundations, and NGO's, served as "Institutional Friend of Telefonica Volunteers." WAVES representative Dani Amico shared with participants WAVES' work as an NGO, its experience working with volunteers in Peru, as well as, new volunteer opportunities in Peru. 
February 7, 2008 WAVES for Development is highlighted in the February 2008 edition of Off the Radar, an Adventure, Ecotourism, and Voluntourism Newsletter. The publication provides reliable information about travel and volunteer opportunities offered by small, owner-operated companies and organizations. Those featured in Off the Radar are selected because they incorporate the local people, offer guests a personal experience and place emphasis on running sustainable and environmentally friendly operations. Visit www.travelofftheradar.com. 
January 31, 2008 WAVES for Development USA announced the "Launch Party NYC," to be held at Kion Dining Lounge February 7th at 7:00PM. The event will raise funds for WAVES' upcoming pilot project in Lobitos, Peru. The event will include surf videos, gourmet appetizers, and raffle prizes (including dinner for 2 courtesy of Kion Dining Lounge.) Kion Dining Lounge, a hip New York restaurant serving Peruvian and Japanese cuisine, will also offer drink specials on Pisco Sours and Peruvian beer. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about WAVES and help it make a difference by donating. 
Join the party:WAVES for Development "Launch Party NYC" 7:00PM February 7th 2008 Kion Dining Lounge 506 East 6th Street New York, NY www.kionlounge.com 
January 23, 2008 Sylvain Gaeng, President of the Swiss association WAVES for Development Switzerland, was interviewed by 24 heures, a Swiss newspaper. In the article, Sylvain talks about WAVES' surf education and adventure volunteer programs in Peru, and about how people in Switzerland can help. The article went to press just as Sylvain made final preparations for his trip to Lobitos, Peru, where he will participate in WAVES for Development's Pilot Project. 
January 10, 2008 WAVES for Development has been featured in edition 18 of the Peruvian Surf Magazine Local. Local has a circulation of 4,000 printed magazines and wide electronic distribution. Check out the article here. 
January 5, 2008 Earth Sessions, an UK-based tour operator offering Latin America volunteer opportunities in Peru and Ecuador, has teamed with WAVES for Development and Olas Peru Surf Travel for the Lobitos Pilot Project in February. Earth Sessions is offering a Community Surfing Safari package that includes 7 days surfing the coast of Peru with Olas Peru Surf Travel and 18 days serving and surfing as volunteers in Lobitos during the Pilot Project. Earth Sessions founder Brendan McDonald writes, "We want to hear from interested people with the right skills and enthusiasm to help us achieve our goals and those of our project partners. Inclusion in expeditions will offer challenging conditions and personal development rewards." Full details of the package can be found at www.earthsessions.com. 
January 1, 2008 WAVES for Development, together with the Lobitos High School, has confirmed the dates of the upcoming Pilot Project: February 17th - March 1st. While on summer break from classes, interested local youth will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of classes and activities. WAVES for Development is proud to announce the participation of instructors from Olas Peru, the most respected and experienced surf school in Latin America. Olas Peru staff will assist WAVES in conducting surf classes that place proper focus on water safety and teaching methods, while making sure participants have fun and build self-confidence. Out of the water, youth will participate in Earth Connection and Language Arts classes. Earth Connection will teach youth about the environment and the importance of conservation, through experiential learning activities. Language Arts classes include activities that allow youth to explore their creativity while practicing English. Classes will be facilitated by WAVES staff, local educators, and visiting volunteers. |
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