Parley Ocean School: Arpoador Beach
ocean awareness, immersion and activism in Rio
On a scorching day in September, between the blazing sun and sands of Arpoador beach, the Parley Brazil crew teamed up with Rio de Janeiro-based NGOs, ocean experts, athletes and a diverse community of volunteers to host an immersive Ocean School session and surf clinic for underserved local youth.
The day-long activation kicked off with a clinic for 30 youths from Rocinha, Brazil’s largest favela, who were invited to participate in an Ocean Awareness lesson and surf immersion clinic held in collaboration with local surf schools Surf Gloria and Favela Surf Club. The inspiring roster of speakers and coaches included Parley collaborators like pro surfer Sunny Pires and pro volleyball player Jeremy Casebeer, marine biologist Fernando Moraes, local lifeguard Marcelo Lacerda and members of the Parley crew and community. Following the workshops, more than 200 volunteers joined in for a massive community cleanup effort.
Watch the video recap below to hear the full story from Antonia Mascarenhas, Parley’s director of education:
“The most special part for me was the diversity that Rio carries in its DNA. We had people from all age groups… all backgrounds and styles, with everyone feeling welcomed and part of a larger mission together.”
ANTONIA MASCARENHAS, PARLEY EDUCATION DIRECTOR
In the Ocean Awareness portion of the activation, Parley Brazil lead Guilherme Braga, Parley ambassador Sunny Pires and Education Director Antonia Mascarenhas presented about the importance of the oceans and the objective of Parley Ocean School. Fernando Moraes, a marine biologist from Museu Nacional presented imagery and facts about the local ecosystem and local lifeguard Marcelo Lacerda of GMAR presented about the importance of feeling safe on the beach and in the ocean.
Ocean Immersion, experienced directly in the marine environment, is a crucial part of our Ocean School programs at Parley. Together with surf schools Surf Gloria and Favela Surf Club, we held a surf lesson for the local youths of Arpoador. Following the workshop and surf lessons, Parley Brazil and our partners hosted over 200 volunteers in a community cleanup.
Says Antonia Mascarenhas, Parley global education director: “The most special part for me was the diversity that Rio carries in its DNA. We had people from all age groups (from 3yo - 86 yo), from different parts of Rio and Brazil, surfers, athletes, influencers, ambassadors, people that work on that beach, tourists, all backgrounds and styles, with everyone feeling welcomed and part of a larger mission together.”
Together we recovered 380kg/838 lbs of debris in less than 1 hour of action, on a beach that, at first glance, appeared “clean.” The team and volunteers piled intercepted debris into a mountain of waste, creating a striking visual display for participants and passerby about both the reality of plastic waste and the power of community collaboration to make a real, tangible impact. What a difference a day makes.
Thank you to our collaborators:
Arpoador Surf Club
State Surf Federation of Rio
Comlurb
GMAR
Museu Nacional
Surf Gloria
Favela Surf Club
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