Riding the Waves of Change
Join Las Tortuguitas in Empowering Local Costa Rican and Nicaraguan Youth
What we do.
Surf
Lessons
The goal is to teach young men and women how to surf and swim well enough to get started in the surf instructing industry. Graduates of Las Tortuguitas will hopefully move on to become assistant instructors helping with group lessons or families. Eventually we would like to believe that graduates will move on to become full-time surf instructors.
What we do.
Swim Lessons
You can't surf without knowing how to swim. Many children in Costa Rica live close to the ocean and yet never get the opportunity to learn how to swim. Respect for the ocean and the confidence that comes with learning to swim can be a gamechanger for young Costa Ricans.
What we do.
Healthy
Living
We actively engage with local communities to create awareness about water safety and the benefits of swimming and surfing. Our collaborative efforts aim to build a supportive network for the children and their families.
Why we do this.
A Commitment to the Youth of Costa Rica
Las Tortuguitas is more than a simple program. It is a belief in a new way of approaching change. One life changed can inspire change in the next generation, providing support and helping younger students flourish. We aren't just building a program, we're creating a self-sustaining system of learning and growing. Students learn to eat well and exercise, they become more confident, and they develop goals and aspirations.
We see the Las Tortuguitas program as the jumping off point for a more successful, rewarding and inspired life.
How it came to be.
I met Andres in the fall of 2013 while I was on a surf lesson trip to Tamarindo. He was working at Witch's Rock as a surf instructor and the universe decided to introduce us by making him my instructor for the week. I remember asking him why he was one of only a few Costa Rican instructors, it seemed like the majority were from the US and Europe or other places around the globe. He told me that the Ticos never really got the chance growing up to discover surfing and to develop the skills necessary to become instructors. That moment was the birth of the program now known as Las Tortuguitas.
Help Us Make The Wave!
Your donations will help change the lives of young ticos and ticas. Be a part of providing opportunity and challenge, and support our program.
Online giving is being set up right now. To donate today, email info@lastortuguitas.org or call Andres at +506 6128-8241.
Partnerships
We Love Our Local & International Partners
We are grateful for the support of our partners who share our commitment to empowering local children. Together, we work towards creating sustainable and impactful programs for the youth in coastal communities. Please consider becoming a partner and providing support for Las Tortuguitas — contact Andres Cordero at +506 6128-8241.
Our local partners:
- Las Tortugas Hotel
- Hotel Bistro Cantarana
- Surf Break Surf Shop
International partners:
