Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Sweetwater Surf Shop part of surfboard drive for Nicaraguan children

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH — Wrightsville Beach’s Sweetwater Surf Shop has teamed with non-profit organization Sunshine Worldwide to provide entertainment and education to children in Nicaragua by creating a surfboard drive to provide locals in the small fishing village of Asseradores a way to get into the sport.

Asseradores is home to two major surf breaks, the “Boom,” and “The Point,” which are described as “dream destinations, off the beaten path” for many surfers traveling to the Central American country.

After speaking to a local 15-year-old boy on the beach in Asseradores, he explained how it was his dream to surf, but didn't have the money or access to surfboards in the small fishing village. Sunrise Worldwide has decided to change that. (Port City Daily photo/COURTESY SUNRISE WORLDWIDE)
After speaking to a local 15-year-old boy on the beach in Asseradores, he explained how it was his dream to surf, but didn’t have the money or access to surfboards in the small fishing village. Sunrise Worldwide has decided to change that. (Port City Daily photo / COURTESY SUNSHINE WORLDWIDE)

Sunshine Worldwide’s mission is to help children find passion and hope, by rallying local community involvement to “raise funds and equipment, to send the resources necessary for children to enjoy their home environment the best way possible.”

Members of the group said that while traveling in Central America, they saw all the locals “gaze and drool” at tourists catching waves.

After speaking to a local 15-year-old boy on the beach in Asseradores, he explained how it was his dream to surf, but didn’t have the money or access to surfboards in the small fishing village.

According to the non-profit, the locals wake up at 5 a.m., to simply sit on the beach watching surfers, in an attempt to live vicariously through them.

Looking for a non-traditional end to your wedding weekend? How about offering surfing lessons? (Port City Daily photo/CORY MANNION)
“Imagine if people came to enjoy our hometown waves, and we couldn’t try surfing ourselves?” (Port City Daily photo/CORY MANNION)

“Imagine if people came to enjoy our hometown waves, and we couldn’t try surfing ourselves?” promotional materials from Sunshine state. “We may be filled with envy, frustration and sadness. With a passion and activity like surfing these kids can get out of trouble and learn what it’s like to have a life filled with ambition and joy.”

A team from sunshine will be taking donated boards to Asseradores at the end of September.

Until then, the teachers of the town are informing the students of the project, incentivizing them to do well in school, as the boards will be given to students who have shown dedication and improvement in their education.

Surfboards can be donated at Sweetwater Surf Shop, located at 10 N. Lumina Ave. in Wrightsville Beach, up until the week of the trip. All donors will have the opportunity to see who receives their board, and will be credited in a film being made on the trip.

For more information, visit wblivesurf.com, or visit the Sunshine Worldwide website at sunshineworldwide.org. To become part of the team, and aid in the Nicaraguan trip, email sunshineworldwide2017@gmail.com.

*Editor’s note: this story has been updated reflect the correct name of the non-profit to Sunshine Worldwide


Get in touch with Reporter Cory Mannion: follow him on Facebook, Twitter, or send an email at cory@localvoicemedia.com.

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