Where the wetsuits end up

Peru

The per capita GDP in Peru is estimated at $8,600 which, combined with extreme disparities between the wealthy and the poor, means that wetsuits are a luxury that most are simply unable to afford. As a consequence, while many a traveling westerner have pumped endless cutbacks out of Peru’s waves, a huge percentage of local youth don’t have the chance to play in them for much of the year.

Warm Current supports a number of groups that work on the ground to remedy this lack of opportunity, including Otra Cosa in Huanchaco, Trujillo Province, and W.A.V.E.S for development, located in the wave-rich town of Lobitos. We have additionally sent a number of wetsuits to help begin a program for local youth in Chicama and hope that, with your continued donations, we can expand to reach other areas of need throughout this wonderful country.

Mexico

While many know Baja for it’s great waves and warm waters, areas of substantial poverty persist throughout the region. And, while it may surprise some, much of its waters aren’t always warm. As the closest neighbor to the U.S. west coast, Mexico provides an excellent opportunity for water enthusiasts to share and recycle their resources. We have served as a conduit for getting wetsuits and water sports gear to needy individuals through work with non-profit organizations that work on the ground in Baja, and also directly distributing suits to youth that otherwise lack access.

Morocco

Living standards in Morocco are low by international standards and have declined continually since the early 1990s. However, surfing in Morocco has grown in popularity tremendously over the last 10 years. The West Coast of Morocco is a dream surfing destination, with a non-stop source of Atlantic swell and a constantly changing shoreline of exposed and sheltered points, reefs and beach breaks.

Warm Current seeks to provide the Moroccan community with the resources to enjoy and protect their natural resource. We partner with Surf Maroc, a leading Morocco surf camp in Taghazout. Together with Surf Maroc, local youth receive surf gear and lessons as well as environmental lessons on the fragileness of their ocean ecosystems.

Local Community Organizations

Many groups in our local communities fit squarely within our mission of bringing increased access to the ocean to youth–and we are thrilled to support these groups. We have partnered with local chapters of Surfrider and other local groups to provide an array of services, from donation of wetsuits and boards to in-the-water instruction at mini surf camps. We look forward to continuing to help bring the joy and awareness of the ocean to kids right in our own backyard!


And Who Helps us get them there…

Waves For Development

WAVES for Development believes that surf travel should benefit the people and the communities where it happens. WAVES creates life-enriching experiences in coastal communities through Educational Surf programs that develop youth into healthy and empowered adults and Surf Voluntourism programs that engage travelers and transform their world view.

Location: 345 W 48th St. Suite 1A New York, NY 10036

Website: www.wavesfordevelopment.org

Otra Cosa

Otra Cosa Network is a registered Peruvian NGO and Registered UK Charity that offers a wide variety of affordable and satisfying volunteering opportunities to well motivated volunteers from around the world.

Location: Huanchaco, Trujillo and Peru

Website: www.otracosa.nl

The Palapa Society

The Palapa Society of Todos Santos,  A. C. , founded in 2003,  is a multi-cultural, non-profit Mexican Civil Association.  Our mission is the development and administration of scholarship, education, medical and environmental programs for the benefit of  local children and their families.  This is accomplished by working in concert with various community entities and through the efforts of our dedicated volunteers.

We consider children to be the most precious resource of all and are working to improve the quality of their lives. We believe the secret to the future of this pueblo, and the promise for a better world for all, resides in the education and welfare of our children.

Website: http://palapasociety.org/

Surf Club @ Berkeley

Our mission is to unite Berkeley’s surfing community through cooperative trips and events, providing a fun and social environment, while encouraging environmental volunteer work. We hope you enjoy your stay!

Location: Berkeley, California

Website: scab.berkeley.edu

Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association

The Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association is a membership-based nonprofit organization in Hood River, Oregon, dedicated to enhancing the windsurfing experience in the Columbia River Gorge.

Our vision is for an integrated, fully engaged windsurfing community with abundant access to sites and services in support of windsurfing in the Columbia River Gorge.

Location: 202 Oak Street, Suite 150, Hood River, OR 97031

Website: windsurf.gorge.net/cgwa

Athletes Lounge

The Athletes Lounge Training Facility is the premier triathlon training facility in the Pacific Northwest. The nation’s top coaches bring their athletes to “The Lounge” for group indoor training rides, runs and swims on our state-of-the-art equipment. Small groups may reserve time to hold sport specific training clinics, while individual coaches work one-on-one with their athletes. Whether it’s stroke mechanics utilizing our underwater camera or power specific training workouts on our CompuTrainer riding setup, the training facility is Portland’s home for triathletes and multisport athletes. It is also home to the professional triathlon Skyline Racing Team.

Location: 2600 NW Vaughn St, Portland, OR 97210

Website: www.athleteslounge.com