Surfers from around the world come to northern Peru to ride the waves, some of the planet’s longest. But many Peruvian communities lack the facilities and skills to benefit from surf tourism. In the small fishing village of Lobitos, Waves for Development hopes to empower youth through a surf education program led by volunteers. Beginning surfers are welcome.
WHAT YOU’LL DO: Teach Peruvian kids how to swim and surf; lead classes in surf photography, how to open a surf shop, surfboard repair, English, and environmental conservation; organize a community development project such as a surf contest or beach cleanup.
HIGHLIGHTS: Surf every morning and afternoon and improve your skills with surfing lessons from experts. Learn Spanish from a Peruvian teacher. Stay with the other volunteers in a local home and eat a seafood dinner in the host family’s restaurant.
Waves for Development, (518) 339-2142, two-week trips for $900, including homestay lodging and meals. This appeared in the July/August 2010 issue.
