Daughters of the Sea with Suri Barrera
By Chris Dodds
It wasn't that long ago that El Salvador was a destination reserved for the most intrepid of surfers. In the 1970s the first wave of surf explorers rejoiced for their discovery of famous right-hand point breaks, like Punta Roca and Punta Mango, but the development of the country as a tourist destination was severely impacted by the Salvadoran Civil War from 1979-1992. As any country that experiences a civil war the road to recovery is long and far from guaranteed.
Luckily for all, in recent years El Salvador has made great strides in providing safety. The coastal area around La Libertad has blossomed into one of the most surf-centric areas in all of Central America, and it's not just travelers that are getting the vibe, many Salvadorans are taking to the waves. The local surf scene is strong and is represented on the global stage by surfers like Bryan Perez, who will compete in this year's Olympics and makes frequent appearances on WSL & WQS events.
While many elements factor into creating safety, we will focus on creating opportunities for the youth as an alternative to gang activity. One such example is Hijas del Mar (Daughters of the Sea) which aims to empower and unify girls through surfing and community and was founded in 2018, by Suri Barrera.
We first learned about Suri after a stellar recommendation by surf legends Leah Dawson and Kassia Meador. Once we connected with her we saw that she embodies what makes a great Thermal guide, especially her work with her organization and deep ties to the community.
Suri is the type of person who just lights up a room--or a lineup--she beams with positivity and laughter and her energy is contagious. She loves to show people the true fabric of Salvadoran culture, like the incredible handmade pupusas and is absolutely stoked to get out in the water and share their amazing waves.
"Suri was key! I didn’t have to worry about a thing! She took me to the best breaks of the day so I could score and caught the waves of my life! Plus having another badass female surfer in the water to help inspire and cheer me on made all the difference!El Salvador is now one of my favorite countries to go escape to for a surf trip. World class, right point breaks that seem to pump year round due to how south facing the area is - perfect for catching any and all swell that comes through. El Tunco town is so fun with tons of night life and music yet you can still feel like you’re on a quiet escape when you’re there. The waterfalls, the food (best ceviche I’ve ever eaten), the volcanos, the Mayan Ruins... plenty of things to do and see. A highly recommended trip and I can’t wait to go back again!” - Jenna
Her work with Hijas del Mar is all about helping girls and young women out of vulnerable situations by forming community surrounded by positivity, kindness, and opportunity. Surfing and skateboarding act as the threads that weave them all together, and Suri acts as the leader giving them an outlet to have fun while learning the value of hard work and healthy relationships.
Regardless of where you live in the world, life is hard and there are many ways in which people can go astray. We love to see and support individuals like Suri who dedicate their energy to bringing light into the world–the girls from Hijas del Mar develop the confidence to emerge into the world as brave and bold individuals.
