Programs

Coastal communities' proximity to surfable waves combined with the current enthusiasm for surfing among today's youth represents a great opportunity for developing tomorrow's community leaders.

Photo thanks to: Forest Woodward

Surf tourism that cultivates & inspires local communities.

Through participatory community analysis, WAVES has developed programming that takes advantage of opportunities to address community needs. The approach includes conversations and more formal interviews with youth, community members, the school Director and local government officials.

WAVES for Development offers impoverished coastal communities innovative Education and Surf Voluntourism programs that take advantage of surfing resources for meeting community development goals and reducing poverty.

By offering Educational Surf programs, at-risk youth develop healthy physical activity habits outside of the classroom, gain an appreciation for the natural environment, and acquire needed life skills while building confidence and having fun.  Pursuing their own, individual ‘educational careers’ is an important driver of programs. The beneficiaries of our programs include Peruvian youth, local partner organizations in coastal communities, and international visitors.

Ongoing Education Programs:
- WAVES employs local Peruvian teachers to work in the Lobitos Primary school to complement the available funding and resources of the Government funded school. Ongoing English and Environment classes, funded by WAVES enable local students to study these subjects which would otherwise not be provided. WAVES has also attracted longer term interns to run Sports Classes in the Primary and High School.
- WAVES employs locally trained Surf Instructors to provide three weekly Surf Classes to local youth free of charge. As part of this we have an emphasis on Girl’s only Surf Classes. These classes range in content from swimming lessons, water safety, the beach environment, local hazards, surfing equipment, paddling, surfing technique and surfing practice in the water. Surfboards, wetsuits and other equipment are all provided to the girls by WAVES.

Volunteers participate in all of these programs, assisting the teachers in the schools and with the Surf School. Without volunteers these classes will continue, ensuring a commitment WAVES has made to the community.  However, the involvement of volunteers makes the experience more rewarding for students, volunteers and teachers alike, and their funding is invaluable to ensure delivery of the classes.

Additional Surf Voluntourism Programs (often volunteer developed and managed, with WAVES assistance):
- WAVES holds regular Beach Clean Ups as part of the environmental conservation curriculum, and offers other activities when the resources and needs arise. Often they are developed in conjunction with Volunteer’s skills, interest and experience. Previous and ongoing examples include Construction Programs, Micro Credit, Surf Photography, Computer Classes (for the teachers), Small Business Studies, Dance Classes, Artesan Workshops, Yoga, Health Clinics, Surf Competitions and Art Classes.

WAVES has also funded  the ongoing further (accredited) education of selected youth in Surf Instruction and Culinary Studies. Surf trips to other location for youth who have demonstrated commitment to the program have also been undertaken.

All of these programs are funded and assisted by our volunteers and their fundraising efforts.  The Programs in Lobitos are co-ordinated by local Peruvian staff, including an Administration manager, a Surf Project Manager and an International Volunteer Coordinator.

Check out the swell report for Lobitos, by clicking on “Lobitos” page in the upper left ‘Also in this section’ box.

This post is also available in: French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil)