Groundswell Peru
Peru holds a history of surfing that dates back to 500AD. Back then, both men and women held positions of power in the community and both would paddle out on their reed boards, called Caballito del Tortoras, to surf their catch of the day back to shore. Today it is rare to find a woman practicing their ancient art of fishing and women are seldom found in the surf line up, surf schools and surf industry. The local women and girls of the World Surf Heritage site, Huanchaco, Peru are changing that!
The Casita
In 2018 we opened the doors of the first woman owned and inspired Surf club house in Peru! Lovingly named “The Casita”, as it is a safe haven for women and girls to find community in the sea and back on land together. With the opening of the Casita the community grew from 5 local girls to now over 50 girls, women, and moms accessing the Casita for women health, mental health, and ocean health programs, workshops, and events. Starting in 2019 the Casita was able to provide paying jobs to local women and thanks to the support of ISA we now have the first ever local female certified surf instructors!
Women are here to make waves!
These programs are made possible thanks to the support, partnership, and sponsorship of:
International Surf Association / Hands on Peru / Kassia / Sawyer / World Surf City Network / Salt & Reverie / Lines Peru / Espaanglisch & individual donations of wetsuits, surf boards, and gear.