Around the world, women from coastal communities are gaining prominence as surfers and defenders of the ecosystems that protect coasts and oceans. One example is Carolina Butrich from Conservamos por Naturaleza, who leads the protection of surf breaks along the Peruvian coast. This phenomenon goes hand in hand with the exponential growth of women's surfing, which has achieved great visibility both internationally and nationally, with more and more Peruvian women receiving recognition in international championships. In addition, there has been an increase in the creation of surfing programs and companies focused on women, as well as a greater representation of women in the media related to this sport. However, this progress must be accompanied by more opportunities for women to actively participate in the conservation of marine ecosystems and in the blue economy; the range of economic uses of the services provided by the ocean and its coastline: energy, maritime transport, fishing, aquaculture, mining and tourism.
Women play an integral role in coastal communities, but are often underrepresented in decision-making processes, limiting their ability to contribute fully to conservation. Fostering inclusive and participatory processes is essential for more effective management of marine ecosystems. Surfing, in this context, offers important benefits for young women, helping them to expand their comfort zone, overcome fears and strengthen their self-esteem. By participating in a male-dominated space, women gain confidence and develop a deeper connection to the ocean, motivating them to protect it.
Aware of these benefits, Conservation International (CI) has promoted a program of camps and activities for young people focused on the conservation of surf ecosystems, in collaboration with local organizations such as Coast 2 Coast and WAVES Lobitos. These types of initiatives seek to empower girls and young women, developing both their physical and mental strength. An example of this is the “Women + Water” program, facilitated by professional windsurfer Sarah Hauser, which seeks to engage girls in Lobitos, Piura, in recreational and wellness activities that strengthen their connection to the ocean. Although this year's activities were limited by an oil spill, participants continued with workshops that addressed topics such as resilience and environmental wellness. Alondra, a 9-year-old girl from Lobitos, tells us, “In Lobitos we protect what we love: our community and the ocean.”
This type of program has also fostered a new generation of coastal leaders. Many of the former participants of the program WAVES started in 2008 have returned to their communities after earning college degrees and now lead environmental watch groups. Karen Periche, one of the first girls from Lobitos to surf among a sea of men, is now the director of her own women's surf school. Karen, emphasizes, “I want to create a safe space where women can discover the well-being that the sea gives us, feel the freedom of being in the water and cultivate their confidence.”
The Global Environmental Fund, entitled “Expanding Blue Economy Benefits and Conservation of Critical Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services through Management of Surf Ecosystems” seeks to harness the passion of surfers to protect waves and the ecosystems that surround them in countries such as Costa Rica, Panama and Peru. This project is implemented by GEF-UNIDO and executed by Conservation International in collaboration with Save The Waves Coalition and the Peruvian Society for Environmental Law (SPDA). One of the main objectives is to support the inclusive participation of women in leadership and decision-making processes on the management of surf ecosystems and the blue economy. Although women play a crucial role in coastal communities, their presence in these processes remains limited, making it urgent to promote their inclusion in decisions about the future of the oceans.
The future of this project includes collaboration with local organizations such as Coast 2 Coast, which contributes to surf conservation and strengthening coastal communities. CI will continue to develop and share a surf conservation camp curriculum focused on empowering women and girls to lead conservation efforts in a more inclusive way. The ultimate goal is to promote more effective management of marine ecosystems and the blue economy by empowering women to participate meaningfully and contribute to more inclusive and effective conservation outcomes.
This comprehensive approach demonstrates how surfing can be a tool for environmental conservation and social inclusion, empowering women to become leaders in protecting our oceans and coasts.
Adapted from the original text by Marissa Miller published in IW:Learn