Saturday, April 30, 2011

Girls Surf Clinic Promotes Strong Self-Esteem and Healthy Lifestyle



Pushing back water with cupped hands, she hears the rush of approaching water, connects with the moving force, stands up on her board in perfect balance with nature, and feels the strength of the ocean underfoot. Both body and mind are exhilarated as she conquers one clear goal – catching a wave. Now that’s empowering. This feeling glowed in more than 17 young girls on April 25, 26 and 27 during the PEACE + Wahine Project surf clinic.

The Wahine Project is an educational program for girls between the ages of seven and seventeen who do not have the geographical or financial opportunities to surf. The project seeks to introduce the invigorating sport of surfing while promoting self-esteem and encouraging a healthy lifestyle through exercise and good nutrition. The goals is to make a connection between ocean, surf, and self.

Each day started with a beach clean up and was followed by yoga stretching a two hour surf instruction. All of the girls who participated in the clinic live in Punta de Mita, less than five minutes away from the beach, but most had never tried surfing. Many times girls are too intimidated or uncomfortable to try surfing as there’s usually competitive guys in the water who’ve been surfing for years. This week, there was truly a feeling of unity and a safe, supportive environment.

At the crossroads of adolescents, we think it’s important for girls to feel self-respect, confidence and in control of their lives. A girl will then teach this to her children a thereby effect the community at large. Surfing is just one way we can encourage this!!

We’d like to give a huge thank you to Dionne Ybarra from the Wahine Project and all of the fantastic volunteers who joined us to create such a memorable week!

www.peacemexico.org

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