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!

 

Come join us! Nuestra Casa es su Casa

6 week Surf Therapy Internship or Volunteer

Jan 23-March 3, 2023

We welcome the international community of surfsisters, therapists, artisans, yoga instructors, therapy interns, women health specialists, and stokers to come be in circle with us to learn from each other and the sea. Our 6 week Surf Therapy Internship is an opportunity to experience first hand the Groundswell Surf Therapy™ model and curriculum in action as we hold our summer surf programs for ages 5-70. You will get to dive deeper into our trauma informed foundation, practice our curriculum, and be in circle as we ask questions and get curious around what reclaiming our healing, power, and belonging can truly look like and feel like with in our communities.

The 6 weeks internship will include: ($2,000-$2,500)

  • Surf Therapy for Trauma Recovery Training (valued at $500 in person training)

  • Groundswell Surf Therapy Facilitator training (valued at $2000 8 week virtual training)

  • Clinical Supervision and consultation by LMFT Natalie Small

  • Opportunity to practice and learn in person with local and international community

  • Visit to local historical sites and cultural immersion

  • Welcome sustainable goodie bag, 1 Weekly family meal, airport pick up, and volunteer coordinator support

  • Langage inter exchange

  • Invitation to our Groundswell Surf Therapy Cohort to continue receiving consultation, workshops, and 1:1 supervision/coaching to help you integrate in what you learn back at home

2-6 weeks Volunteer Program includes: ($350-$500)

  • Share your stoke for surfing mother oceans waves

  • Visit to local historical sites and cultural immersion

  • Welcome sustainable goodie bag, 1 Weekly family meal, airport pick up, and volunteer coordinator support

  • Langage inter exchange

Does not include:

  • flight

  • accommodations

  • meals

Additional opportunity to learn and adventure:

  • organized 1 week trip (march 4-11) to Cusco, Sacred Valley, Mocha Picchu, River Rafting, and Rainbow Mountain (cost: $950)

  • Surf Life Guard training with ISLA Jan 4-6

  • Holistic Surf Coaching Retreat with Surf With Amigas in Chicama (April 1-8) starting at $2.400

contact natalie@groundswellcommunity.org with any questions

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.