Cuban Surfer Yaya Guerrero Is Making Waves

In honor of Earth Day, we wanted to highlight the work of surfer, barrier-breaker, and climate activist Yaya Guerrero, who spends her time surfing and teaching on the beaches outside of Havana. Guerrero, whose last name means warrior in Spanish, is one of Cuba’s most famous surfers and she is a pioneer in the effort to legitimize surfing as an official sport in Cuba.

Now Cuba’s top female surfer, Guerrero was first introduced to surfing as a young kid — by watching the movie “Point Break”, the classic undercover police and bank robber flick with Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves. Though she had grown up in the coastal town of Havana located between the Atlantic and Caribbean oceans, she’d never seen a surfer. Her first real-life interaction with surf happened when she was 23. It was November in Havana when she saw some friends with surfboards. Guerrero asked where they were going - Playa 70 in Miramar - and decided to join them. She went back every day that week to learn how to surf, with a chorus of surfers and beach-going naysayers present to inform her she was “too pretty to surf,” she “wouldn’t be able to do anything in the water” and she “should learn something else.” Guerrero knows it was then when her relentless need to catch a wave began.

On top of surfing, Guerrero’s passion lies in teaching youth and protecting the Earth and environment. She leads surfing classes with young Cubans and instills the importance of caring for the environment through workshops and beach clean-ups. In her spare time, she works at the Havana aquarium taking care of animals and teaching education programs. We chatted with Guerrero about surfing as a woman in Cuba, her passion for the environment, and what she hopes for the future.

Credit: Makewild

What is it like to practice and teach a sport that is not considered a sport in your country?

Yaya: It's a little bit complicated. In Cuba there is no surfing culture and very few know surfing even exists here. I don’t get a lot of support because people call me crazy and tell me that there aren’t waves to surf here. There are no factories that produce surf equipment, and there are there no stores that sell it.

What are some of the biggest surfing challenges in Cuba?

Yaya: First, the need for the sports governing body recognize surfing as a sport. Second, the need to expose the sport to the masses and discover talents. And third, we need the ability to participate in high level international competitions.

What are some of the programs you offer for youth?

Yaya: I teach a girls only to surf class to empower them. I also teach boys and girls to surf together in a separate program so as to dismantle gender differences. I also teach surfing as therapy for children with special educational needs. Within those projects, we also carry out a program in environmental education in which we do activities related to the protection and conservation of the environment.

What unique challenges are present for women in surfing?

Yaya: Being a woman and a surfer presents challenges, yes. There’s always been a taboo that women must do activities or jobs in which they don’t get hurt. They must always have their hair and nails done, their faces made-up, and dressed according to the feminine image. Us surfer girls contradict all of that by simply doing and enjoying what we like.

What are your thoughts on Earth Day in a Cuban context?

Yaya: There is still a lot to learn and to do for the planet. Most of the Cuban population is not aware of the damage we cause with our actions. I really like to quote a phrase [by Terri Swearingen] who simplified it and said it all, “We are living on this planet as if we had another one to go to.”

What is your most memorable moment of your surfing career so far?

Yaya: My most memorable moment was a surf trip to Hawaii and through the US. I met famous surfers from all over the world, including my favorite surfer Rob Machado.

What is your message to future generations?

Yaya: Earth was not given to us as an inheritance, Earth was handed down to us as a loan. It’s important to be smart and think about where we’d be if our planet Earth did not exist. Let's give her the value she deserves and thanks for everything (oxygen, water, food, shelter) she gives us in exchange for nothing. We must protect her and keep her as our most precious treasure. Give yourself up to the Earth; we owe it to her.

CET has had the privilege of supporting some of Yaya’s programs and the honor of helping with the complicated visa process for her first trip to the U.S. We also foster exchanges between Yaya and American student and environmentally-focused groups.