Earth Session: Waves for Development

Photos courteous of Graham Bailey

Earth Sessions has partnered with 'WAVES for Development' and 'Olas Peru Surf Travel' to launch a unique 'Community Development Surfing Expedition' in Peru in February 2008. Surfers with a conscience, a thirst for adventure and a desire to surf uncrowded, incredibly long waves were invited to participate in a four week pilot program. 
 
 
 
 
 
The program consists of two parts:

Part One - Seven day 4x4 surf trip with Olas Peru Surf Travel, travelling from point to point surfing remote world class waves through the Northern Desert Region of Peru, from Lima to Mancora on the far North coast.

Part Two - An eighteen-day surf camp surfing the perfection of Lobitos, helping Project Partner 'WAVES for Development' improve the lives youth of this remote desert community. WAVES have been donated 400 surfboards by Global Surf Industries, and we help with education and surf coaching programs.
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Project Partner:

WAVES for Development, a Peruvian based not-for-profit organization is forging links within the worldwide surfing community, utilising the energy and resources of surfers to meet development goals in remote impoverished coastal communities in Northern Peru. Partners, including Global Surf Industries and Burton Chill, have donated funding and resources to implement innovative programs to support local communities. Working with government, Primary and High Schools, WAVES is developing programs aimed at improving the future prospects for the local youth.

The Mission:

Beginning with a Pilot Program in Lobitos in  February 2008, our mission will be to support WAVES in their efforts to:
 
Get the local youth in the surf with proper coaching and equipment. Up until now they have perfect surf with no boards or financial capacity to experience it. We help WAVES teach the kids to surf (and where needed, to swim).  Set up ongoing programs to relieve poverty and provide education facilities and resources. Developing life skills such as health, nutrition, conservation, language and business skills and confidence building, are all goals of the program. WAVES aims to assist community members to take advantage of the employment opportunities offered by the steady influx of international visitors, who arrive each year to surf the perfect waves in the area. English language, computer literacy and business skills  will form part of an ongoing program to capitalise on these opportunities.
  • Using Earth Sessions' experience in volunteer management, Develop comprehensive health and safety and risk management procedures for WAVES, for the Pilot and future projects.
  • Not forgetting our fifth goal - to surf the endless offshore perfection of the point breaks of Northern Peru!

The Location:

Travelling North from Peru's capital Lima, the expedition heads through 2000km of coastal desert landscapes, stopping on the way to surf remote mechanical points longer than you can imagine. The coastal towns provide an insight into the present day and historical life of Peruvians, from the tourist bars and restaurants of Huanchaco and Mancora, the ancient mud city of the Chan Chan, and the Tortora Reed Caballito riders - fishermen said to be the first surfers, dating back to 2400BC. Still in practice today, it is a great feeling sharing a wave to shore with the fisherman returning with their catch. Our final destination is the remote fishing community of Lobitos in North West Peru. Our base for the three-week community development program, the Lobitos area is a haven of quality waves, with set-ups that are ideal for all levels of surfers.

 

The Surf

 

With near constant offshore winds and very few crowds, northern Peru really is a surfer's paradise. The month of February sees the peak of the Northern hemisphere swells that line up mechanically on their march through the North Pacific past Central America to Peru. Surfing long left points at Huanchaco, Chicama, Pacasmayo, Mancora and others on the way to Lobitos is an amazing experience. Lobitos, the expedition's final destination is ideally positioned to receive the brunt of the northerly swells. With options to surf heavy barrels at el Hueco, the Point sucking and peeling for hundreds of metres, Muelles and Piscinas, another quality mellow peeling left, there are uncrowded options for everyone. It is the sort of place where you can get surfed out every day!

The water temperature ranges from 20 degrees C near Lima up to a balmy 24 in Lobitos, A spring suit and a board or two are your only requirements!

Please note:
All profits from the Pilot Project will go to WAVES for Development to enable them to continue the work they have pioneered  with impoverished communities in Northern Peru.

The costs for the Pilot Project have been developed according to previous expeditions to the North of Peru, and in association with our Project Partners WAVES for Development and Olas Peru Surf Travel. Over 90% of your payment goes to Peru. The cost includes a contribution that will enable WAVES for Development to run the Pilot program. We use local operators, and support local businesses where possible.

Ongoing Expeditions:             Dates in July, August,
                                            September, October 2008.
                                            Contact Earth Sessions for
                                            an up to date schedule.

Costs include:                       Airport Pick-up.
                                            All ground transportation, including 4 x 4 vehicles,
                                            public buses and taxis.
                                            A seven day Surfari tour with Olas Peru Surf Travel.
                                            Two and a half weeks on location in Lobitos for
                                            WAVES Pilot Program
                                            3 meals a day and snacks.
                                            Accommodation in good quality hostels and guest
                                            houses, including a local surf home-stay in Lobitos.
                                            Expedition staff - Earth Sessions Expedition Leader,
                                            2 Olas Peru Guides and WAVES for Development
                                            Staff.
                                            Emergency Communication - Satellite Phone and
                                            Mobile Phone.
                                            First Aid Kit and Staff trained in Emergency
                                            Management Procedures and First Aid.

Not Included:                       Flight Costs from home country.
                                            Travel Insurance.
                                            Surfing Equipment - Surfboards or Wetsuits.
                                            Alcoholic Beverages.
                                            Spending Money.
                                          
                                          
                                           
                                          

Expeditions begin and finish in Lima unless otherwise arranged.

 

For more information regarding booking and payment, please visit Earth Sessions