1998
THE FLOODS
In 1998, one of the most devastating El Niño events in history struck the coast of Peru, displacing thousands of families as floods destroyed homes and infrastructure. Many were forced to relocate to government-assigned settlements, including the small community of Cerrito de la Virgen. With little infrastructure and limited aid, families faced immense challenges in rebuilding their lives.
2005
OVERCOMING FEAR
In 2005, a young resident of Cerrito called Brayan, despite his deep-rooted fear of the sea, began to experiment with body surfing, taking to the waves of nearby Huanchaco. This young resident would go on to be the co-founder of Surf Cerrito.
2008
A PASSION FOR SURFING
Determined to learn how to surf, Brayan started working on small tasks at local surf schools in Huanchaco—cleaning buildings, washing cars—anything that could be exchanged for valuable time on a surfboard.
2021
A NEW BEGINNING
In 2021, Daisy, our other co-founder, arrived in Huanchaco as part of her language studies. She quickly fell in love with both surfing and the community in Cerrito de la Virgen, sparking a passion to bring the two together and help those still affected by the trauma of the 1998 floods.
That November, Daisy and Brayan ran their first trial surf lesson, introducing three nervous children to the ocean for the first time.
2022
BUILDING A SAFE SPACE
In March 2022, Surf Cerrito was born. More than just a surf school, it became a safe space for the children of Cerrito—a place for them to learn, grow, and heal.
Throughout the year, Daisy and Brayan held regular lessons, gradually building trust in the community and refining their teaching approach. Their goal was clear: to help the next generation overcome the intergenerational trauma caused by the 1998 El Niño floods.
2023
GROWTH
Surf Cerrito expanded rapidly in 2023 as more children joined classes. With this growth, the program evolved, incorporating new activities and welcoming volunteers from around the world, whose support was instrumental in its success.
2024
LEARNING AND IMPROVEMENT
In 2024, Surf Cerrito took 100 young people into the programme, some of which took surfing to the next level and started competing, and others who throughout the year overcame fears of the ocean and feelings of anxiety in group situations.
A girls surf programme was established, focused on female empowerment and gender-based education, triggered by a rise in teen pregnancy in the community.
‘Libertad’, a documentary created about Adrián, one of Surf Cerrito’s young surfers, was taken to film festivals and events globally, sharing the transformative impact of surfing to new audiences. The team attended events worldwide, including the ISTO Global Surf Therapy Conference in California. These experiences brought fresh insights, strengthening the program and enhancing the support available to the children.
Fundraising efforts also allowed Surf Cerrito to purchase a mototaxi, ensuring children could travel safely from Cerrito to the waves in Huanchaco.
2025
THE BIGGEST YEAR YET
Surf Cerrito had 80 students enrolled in the summer programme, making it the largest summer to date, with 5 sessions offered weekly.
The Surf Cerrito team continues to grow and look towards a future of growth and impact within Cerrito and beyond!
Into the Future
EXPANDING THE IMPACT
Cerrito de la Virgen is not unique—communities across South America face similar challenges. The next step for Surf Cerrito is to expand its impact, whether by partnering with existing organizations (such as those in Lobitos and Lima) or launching outreach programs in new communities.
But to do that, we need your help! 🌊✨
