Some of the best surfers in Ecuador are right here in Canoa.  The Surf Shak has picked a team of surfers that are held to a high standard of excellence and code of ethics.  All of the surfers on the team are required to attend school, keep a clean police record and participate in community service.  Through the medium of surfing we are able to give back to the youth of Canoa.  The team is also given the first opportunity to teach lessons through the Surf Shak and generate income.

Our first official [Ecuadorian Surf Federation] competition was at Playas southwest of Guayaquil, where our team brought home three trophies!  For most contestors on our team this was their first meet. Even though there were some hiccups, the organizers, judges, shapers, fellow contestors and spectators were impressed with not only the team’s results, but also by their team spirit and their great attitude in general.

“Lalo” is good enough and was fortunate enough to be noticed by one of Ecuador’s biggest shaper and exporter of [balsa-] surfboards. They recently sponsored him with one of their boards in expectation for similar results in the upcoming meets. Hopefully for him and some of the other surfers we will be able to create more opportunities for proper [international] sponsoring.