Cool sh!t
Waves for Development - Surfing and Volunteering in Peru
400 boards. That’s what Global Surf Industries donated to a new surfer-run organization called WAVES for Development. WAVES for Development is less than a year old, but doing heaps for locals in Peru who might never have the chance to surf, even on waves right there for the taking. (Like the pretty “little” left shown here.)
So just what is WAVES for Development? In sum - it’s a nonprofit organization that connects surfing with sustainable development. It was started by surfers focused on development issues in Lobitos, Peru, with a goal of bringing surfers from up north down to Peru to teach surfing, and maybe teach English in the community, or some other kind of development work suggested by the local community. We recently caught up with one of the founders, Dave Aabo. Aabo is particularly stoked by the work and it shows with his passion for the project. He is working virtually full time on WAVES for Development down in Peru, catching waves, of course, but working on expanding the nonprofit’s footprint in Peru.
Says Aabo: “Call it Peace Corps, for surfers. WAVES for Development is offering surf programs that help at-risk youth gain an appreciation for the ocean that’s at their doorstep, while building confidence and having fun.”
Talk about a great way to do so Voluntourism, get some adventure, and catch some sweet Peruvian waves.
“The first big lift we got was from GSI, who donated the boards - a shipping container full, actually. But we also received tremendous support from the Peruvian Sporting Institute, which worked with Peruvian government officials to get the boards in easily,” says Aabo.
WAVES for Development has sent some 30 surfers to Peru, and is a concept that can be exported to other developping countries. They’ve gotten at least 150 local youth up and riding. Nice.
I’d bet at least one of our readers dumps the 9-5 grind and flipping burgers and heads to Peru to share the stoke and lend a hand. Yeah, you. You should go.
You’ll do some good, and get a great looking left!
Check out their site for more information at WAVES For Development.
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Cool idea, but there’s no such thing as “sustainable development.” Also, people in Peru are happier than in the U.S. Where did this idea that development and wealth meant happiness come from? Let the people be free and develop their country organically without becoming another consumer culture.
Are they really going to try to turn lobitos into a big golfing tourist resort? As far as the waves go, that would be a huge bummer…
I think it’s a really cool idea. If I hadn’t just gotten a job, I would have probably joined their cause :). I just shared this on my facebook profile to about 1000 people, so hopefully that will give them some exposure.
Waves in lobitos gives kids surfclasses 2 times a week and and a class at school once a week. Is that really all they can do with all the money/boards they receive?The rest of the time they are driving around in a car thats so expensive it could feed lobitos for a year.
Waves dropped 10 boards in Mancora. If you take a class on one of those boards money goes to the community and to the teacher, thus putting surfschools out of buisiness (if teachers wouldnt be boycotting the boards).
I praise the enterpreneurism waves displays. This new type of buisiness (make money of paying volonteers) is great but i dont like it when these clever people are praised and sit high and mighty asking for prizes to be best new NGO.
P.S.
David: people are not happy in peru, actually they are miserable besides the rich few. Try to make a living and feed your kids of 5 euros a day when supermarket stuff costs the same or more as back home.
P.S.II lobitos rocks go Nacho!
Thanks, Daily Stoke, for the post. Srinivas: Come to Lobitos anytime, surely you won’t be disappointed.
WAVES believes that surf travel should benefit the people in the communities where it happens.
During the academic year, after-school classes run Wednesday through Saturday so as to not conflict too much with the participants schoolwork. Over the summer vacation, there are even more classes including: swimming lessons, surf lessons, English classes, entrepreneurship and other community-identified projects (such as a pilot micro-credit program).
The “expensive” car, affectionately known as “la leyenda” (the legend), is a restored 1980 Toyota LandCruiser. The vehicle is privately owned, not by WAVES as an organization. Holggers, our local program coordinator and surf instructor, takes care of it. WAVES is currently looking for a vehicle sponsor though…
The pilot program in Mancora was initially designed to give local surf instructors a higher price for their services instead of the money going to an intermediary that arranged the lesson. In the coming weeks, WAVES will offer a first aid/emergency first response course for the affiliated instructors. While not perfect, this model is still being refined. The Mancora program is distinct from programming in Lobitos.
Come see for yourself what’s happening; it’s something good…