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Pan American experiences
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El Salvador |
EL SALVADOR ------------------------------------------610[FEATURE] | |||
Women and Empowerment Projects in El SalvadorHow Ocean Become a source of Female ResilienceBy Jazmin Agudelo for Ruta Pantera on 1/14/2026 1:21:12 PM |
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| The coast of El Salvador, with its consistent waves and iconic spots such as Punta Roca, El Zonte, and El Tunco, has positioned itself as a top-tier surfing destination in Central America. But beyond sports tourism, surfing has emerged as a powerful tool for female empowerment in a country marked by social and economic challenges. Local and foreign women have led initiatives that use the waves to foster confidence, community, and opportunity especially for girls and young women in vulnerable situations transforming the sport into a vehicle for personal and collective change.
A prominent figure is Suri Barrera, founder of Hijas del Mar in 2018. This social project seeks to empower girls and adolescents from at-risk coastal communities through surfing, education, and community strengthening. Working with girls between the ages of 7 and 16, Hijas del Mar provides surf equipment, lessons, and activities that promote values such as sisterhood, equality, and teamwork. Part of its funding comes from surf retreats for adult women, with 20% of the profits directly allocated to supporting these young participants, offering them a positive alternative in the face of violence and lack of resources. Hijas del Mar not only teaches surfing but also creates a safe space where participants develop resilience and self-esteem. Suri, a tour guide and passionate surfer, has been recognized in documentaries such as “Going Places” by Surfline for her work uniting girls through the ocean, fostering a positive vibe and opportunities that go beyond the sport. The project emphasizes the therapeutic power of surfing, allowing girls to share experiences and build cultural bridges in an environment traditionally dominated by men. Another key player is Georgina Cronin, known as Pixie, an experienced instructor who has lived for years on the Salvadoran coast. Through her initiative Pixie’s Women’s Surf Retreats, she offers women-only classes and retreats from beginner to intermediate levels at spots such as El Zonte and Punta Roca. These programs create safe, supportive environments where participants improve technical skills while gaining confidence in the water and in themselves. Described by her students as a dedicated and fun coach, Pixie combines intensive surf lessons with yoga and wellness activities, attracting women from around the world. Pixie’s retreats, often in collaboration with resorts such as Puro Surf, include video analysis sessions and exploration of perfect right-hand waves, ideal for rapid progression. Her approach complements community-based work by empowering traveling women and adult surfers, many of whom return transformed, with greater self-assurance and lasting connections. These experiences highlight how women’s surfing in El Salvador not only challenges gender stereotypes but also generates transnational sisterhood. |
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These projects unfold within a broader context in which surfing drives coastal development, as seen in Surf City, the government initiative that has boosted tourism and the local economy. While past efforts such as training returning women in surfboard repair set important precedents, the current focus of leaders like Suri and Pixie prioritizes direct access to the water and mentorship. International organizations such as Changing Tides Foundation have collaborated on events that spotlight Salvadoran women, amplifying local voices in environmental preservation and empowerment.
The impact goes beyond the individual: these initiatives help break cultural barriers in a country where surfing was long seen as a male-dominated activity. Girls learn leadership and perseverance as they face challenging waves, while adult women find in these retreats a space to reconnect with themselves. In a setting of world-class waves, surfing becomes a metaphor for resilience—teaching how to fall and rise again, how to flow with the current, and how to find strength in community. Projects such as Hijas del Mar and Pixie’s retreats illustrate how visionary women are surfing toward a more equitable and empowered future. |
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References: Referencias Hijas del Mar. (s. f.). About us. https://hijasdelmar.com/about-us/ Thermal. (s. f.). Daughter of the Sea with Suri Berrera in El Salvador. https://www.thermal.travel/journal/daughters-of-the-sea-with-suri Surfline. (2025). Going Places: El Salvador, With Pacha Light. https://www.surfline.com/surf-news/going-places-el-salvador-pacha-light/210671 Pixie's Women's Surf Retreat. (s. f.). Home. https://womenssurfretreats.com/ Surf Sweat Serve. (s. f.). Upcoming retreats. https://www.surfsweatserve.com/upcomingretreat Changing Tides Foundation. (2025). Changing Tides: Empowering Young Girls Through Mentorship, Community, and Surf. https://www.changingtidesfoundation.org/ |
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