Ambassadors of Hope From The Groundswell Community: Natalie Small & Javier Larco

This week, we launch my conversation with Natalie Small & Javier Larco straight from Peru. Peru has a rich culture in surfing and a connection to Mama Cocha and Madre Tierra as healing sources.

The surf industry and surf tourism have introduced another side of surfing; a darker side is driven by consumerism and competition. Natalie and Javier are on a mission to realign the local surf culture with its roots. Their intention has deep roots in healing and connecting humanity by caring for all members of the community.

About Natalie:

Founder and executive director of Groundswell Community Project. Groundswell Community Project offers various surf therapy programs for self-identifying women overcoming various forms of trauma and its effects. They are a transformational community of surf sisters who provide intersectional, brave, and safe spaces for all self-identifying women to find their unique healing, community, and power in the waves of Mother Ocean.

Also, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California.

About Javier:

Professional surfer and surf coach

Has explored and surfed up and down the Peru coast, Ecuador, Mexico, California, Indonesia, and river surfed in Germany.

He started his first surf school in 2003 in Las Delicias, was the surf coach for the Junior Pro Peru team 2016-2018, is the official Peru surf coach for Unleashed (Canada), Safari Surf  Adventures (US), and Surf Adventures (Brazil), and now provides free coaching and adaptive surf therapy for local kids in Huanchaco.

President of the Asociacion de Talentos Libertenos Del Surf and founded Surf Habilitados, a surf project providing surf therapy for local kids living with mental and physical disabilities and their families.

Social Media Profiles:

Groundswell Community Project:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/groundswellcommunityproject/

Website: https://www.groundswellcommunity.org/

Natalie:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/captsmall/

Website: https://www.nataliesmalllmft.com/

Javier:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/javierlarcosurfcoach/

Website: https://www.ldcsurfbags.com/take-action

Topics Explored:

How do we realign surf culture with its roots?

Is it surfing or humanity that needs to realign?

Where did surfing take a wrong turn?

Where did surfing go right?

What are some things we can do to realign?

What do you mean by heal and connect?

How can therapy and surfing work together?

Location: Huanchaco, Peru

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This podcast is produced by Derek Dodds, founder of Wave Tribe and lover of the sea.

For more info, email [email protected]

https://www.wavetribe.com/

https://www.instagram.com/wavetribe/

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