Program Reviews

I just returned from an amazing trip with Surf For Life (SFL). We traveled to El Manzano Uno Nicaragua, a beautiful little town on the Northern coast. The ladies who run the organization have years of experience leading trips and have developed strong partnerships with organizations throughout the world. They collaborate with the local organizations to identify needed brick and mortar projects that SFL volunteers participate in. I wasn't sure what to expect and wasn't sure I wanted to dig ditches and poor concrete on my vacation but it turned out to be the highlight of my trip. I would describe the experience as a cultural immersion where you get to work side by side with the local people on a project that they have identified will benefit their community. The connections we made fed my soul and I feel like I now have an extended family in Nicaragua. We woke up early, surfed, did yoga, ate amazing meals, helped build a casita to protect the local water source, hung out in hammocks, played with local kids, watched sunsets and made friends for life. Seriously. This was one of my favorite trips I've ever taken. 100% highly recommend!

Surf For Life is a great organization to complete a volunteer trip with. The week-long trip was well planned and executed, but there was enough free time to relax as well. If you want to explore another country but aren't fluent in the language or are nervous about the customs, SFL is a great way to experience the culture while having a support system for any need you might have while there.

There's something magical about taking yourself away from the grind, disconnecting and doing meaningful work with extraordinary people and this trip delivers on this reality.

The trip offers everything:
-the opportunity to make a difference to folks who need and value our help
-time to connect with yourself by unplugging with your friends, with the volunteer staff, and on a surf board
-culture, culture, culture
-Fantastic people - the local community is so welcoming and friendly

Can't say enough good things about my trip with Surf For Life to Guatemala in November 2014!

Here's a brief list of the highlights for me:

- Awesome accommodations in beach-side huts with surfing just steps away
- A meaningful project focused on bringing education to a developing village, with a tangible result for the village's residents
- Hard labor under the sun! Orrrrr the shade if you didn't want to get a good sweat on!!
- Engagement with the youth we were targeting with our project through daily events like painting, soccer and spanish lessons
- Being around such amazing and grateful people, from the Surf For Life staff, to the volunteers I was working with the to village residents

Add on to all this the fact that I got to experience a country that I might not have otherwise got to experience the way that I did and it all equals an experience I won't ever forget.

Thanks for the amazing laughs and memories and I can't wwit for the next adventure I will go on with Surf For Life!!

Volunteering with Surf for Life in El Paredon, Guatemala was an all around amazing experience. The La Choza Chula crew made us feel right at home and gave us the opportunity to interact closely with the community. Helping to build the school was like nothing I had ever done before. Being able to interact with the children of the community was extremely rewarding. Our hosts integrated fun activities to interact with the kids and with the community. It was the perfect mix of volunteering and cultural immersion. This trip left me with a positive impression of Surf for Life and I would 100% be interested in doing another volunteer trip. I feel so lucky to have chosen this program and would recommend it to anyone!

I traveled to Guatemala with some fellow coworkers in February and I was extremely impressed with the organization at the worksite and I enjoyed various activities they planned for our group throughout the week. Our group leader did an excellent job providing background and history of the community. Some of my favorite memories of the trip are with the community members of El Paredon and working in the local school. Amazing journey and I had a blast! I would recommend this experience to anyone looking for a volunteer opportunity while being immersed in another culture.

I traveled to El Paredon, Guatemala in February of 2015 to help contribute to the construction of a secondary school there, the trip and build both organized through Surf for Life. The experience was amazing, as we were not only able to assist with the project, but were also invited to participate in several programs spending some time with the local children within the community. The trip was both eye-opening and rewarding, and I would definitely consider participating in another Surf for Life project!

The La Choza Chula crew took incredible care of our group, not only from a safety perspective but to also ensure we were having the best time possible while understanding the direct impact we were making on the community.

I visited Guatemala with Surf for Life and it was one of the most amazing trips I've been on. I've never before been able to really get a sense of a community I would never otherwise encounter, see the benefit our time and donations are having, and interact directly with the people who are directly impacted. Everything was perfectly organized and executed. A perfect balance of work, aid, and fun in a beautiful location,

Surf For Life is a very popular organization to volunteer with at my place of work, but even still I was nervous about going to Guatemala and a remote village. I am so very happy that I did!

Why was it so great?

1) Staff
-My colleague and I missed our connecting flight to Guatemala (our fault) and arrived late at night to the city, which was concerning. All through it both Surf for Life and the members of La Choza Chula were with us on the phone and booking us accommodations/drivers to keep us safe and happy
-On the trip, you could tell how much everyone cared about the volunteers and the community they served

2) Location/Experience
-Sleeping in a beach hut at our surf camp was one of the coolest things I have ever done. Great food (I am a picky vegetarian), beautiful place and amazing experience. I would love to go back

3) Community/Impact
-Not only were we volunteering to help build a school that will change the community forever, but we also got to interact with community leaders and all of the children daily. I have done volunteer trips before but never felt the same connection to the community we served.

I want to go again and keep recommending it to everyone I speak with. WAY BETTER than any all inclusive beach vacation and so much more valuable. DO THIS INSTEAD!