El Salvador 2025: CTF’s First International Trip Since 2020
In March of this year, the CTF team took their first international trip since 2020. Becky, Carolyn, and I returned to El Salvador for a week of meaningful gatherings with different groups of local women who are doing incredible things for the women and girls in their communities.
While we were there, we had the opportunity to collaborate with an organization called Hijas Del Mar, a female surf community & non-profit created by a local woman named Suri. Founded in 2017, the organization is based in El Zonte, a small coastal town, and works with young local girls, enabling them to step outside of traditional routines that often times keep them based around the home, and allows them the opportunity to learn how to surf and have time playing in the water and at the beach. We had an amazing day with the 15 girls in the program, whose ages range from 7-16. Along with mentors of all ages from the community, we succeeded in having an epic and safe time in & out of the water. The day was filled with self-love practices on the beach, catching & riding waves, followed by a hang at a local school with pizza, music, & goodie bags that we brought from the US for each girl. During the surf portion of the day, one of the older girls in the program was ready to paddle to the outside, so I swam alongside her, encouraging her to the lineup. While sharing the details of what I was noticing with the ocean & surfers, a big set came & she wasn’t able to hold onto her board. Her eyes widened as the ocean’s energy continued to grow & I grabbed her hand tight. We held hands as we dove under each set wave together, and I kept checking in & reminding her to breathe. She was such a trooper! This was a trip highlight for me.
Since our trip coincided with International Women's Day, wanted to gather women from the area for an afternoon of celebrating being female. For this gathering, we had the opportunity to partner with two local skate organizations in the country, Namaskate Club & Rider Sisters, to celebrate women and skate! Puro Surf Hotel, a surf academy & boutique hotel on the water in El Zonte, allowed us to host the event on their surf-inspired concrete skate area. It was an absolute blast dancing to a DJ while taking turns skateboarding through the concrete area with women of all ages from around the country. I loved seeing the advanced skaters encourage & lead the novice ones with smiles & laughter breaking down the fear of the concrete. After we couldn’t sweat & skate anymore (it was HOT!!), we participated in a women’s circle sharing personal stories about menstruation led by a local woman who educated us about a more eco-friendly way to menstruate. Some of us then paddled out to close the day & watch the sunset from the ocean, sharing a few waves each. We quickly cleaned up & then closed the gathering by enjoying a meal together at Puro Surf under a large palapa. Our dinner conversation was filled with lots of laughter & a deeper connection felt by all; it was a perfect way to close the day.
When Becky & I were in El Salvador in 2020, we got to meet Sindy Portillo, who is a heartfelt local ripper based in Las Flores, the more remote eastern part of the country. We traveled to Las Flores to reconnect with her during this trip & it was such a pleasure. We caught up on what’s going on in her life, how the last five years have changed for her & the country, & learned of the exciting news of the government supporting her surfing career (when she first started competing, she was the only girl and was competing against only men). We even scored some waves together at Las Flores, which is a super fun, long point to beach break, but not without lots of effort from our arms! The tide moves so much here & to be in the right spot to catch the wave as it comes in is not an easy task. I did get some of my best waves of the trip though & I was proud my arms and skills succeeded, as I had not surfed much for months before this trip.
I’m so grateful for our time in El Salvador to recenter & find peace, connect with women, & completely fill my soul up with the warmth & beauty of El Salvador in & out of the ocean. The waves were so fun & I feel very fortunate to have been able to surf many different waves in such a short time. The cherry was that the wind stayed light all week & the waves never got small like predicted! Out of the water, another delight for me was the delicious coffee & pupusas! I love experiencing the local food & this trip did not disappoint!
We are in the process of making a film to share our work in El Salvador with you all. Please stay tuned as I’m excited to see what Seaster Leah creates!
With Aloha,
Anna