A Look Inside the Groms Program at Valpo Surf Project

My name is Laura Godoy, Surf Coordinator at Valpo Surf Project (VSP), and I’m excited to share our mission, our team, and what keeps us paddling forward every day.

My journey with VSP began when a surfer and friend shared a post on social media announcing a job opening for a surf instructor. What started as a simple job application quickly became something much deeper: a calling to bring surfing to children and teens who might never have imagined they could be part of this sport.

Over the years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the difficult realities our students face, stories that are often overlooked and uncomfortable to confront. Their resilience never ceases to amaze me. Every day, they remind us why it matters to create safe spaces where young people can believe in themselves, dream big, and trust that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to.

What It Means to Be a Grom

At VSP, a group of 11 students who show promise and dedication toward surfing make up the Groms Program, which I lead alongside instructors Kevin Oyarzún and Valentina López. In surfing culture, a “grom” is a young surfer who is eager, energetic, and committed to progressing in the sport. At VSP, our Groms embody this spirit both in and out of the water.

The program is designed to take surfing to the next level for a small group of talented students. Groms surf and train twice every week with our VSP surf team. Grom sessions are separate from our regular surf sessions, giving each student the chance to practice in less crowded conditions, catch more waves, and receive one-on-one mentoring from our instructors. Before hitting the water, we break down ocean conditions—tides, currents, wind, and swell—helping students learn how to adapt their surfing to each situation.

From there, the details matter. We work on paddling technique, positioning, and timing, skills that make the difference between missing a wave and riding it all the way to shore. We push students to take waves beyond the whitewater so they can experience waves with shape and direction, linking turns and developing true style.

But above all, being a Grom is about more than technical skills. It’s about growing as people, learning teamwork, responsibility, respect for the environment, and resilience when the waves get tough. And of course, it’s about fun, the thrill of riding a clean wave, the laughter shared between friends, and the joy of being part of a community.

As surfers, we know the ocean can be both demanding and rewarding. Facing challenging conditions builds patience, adaptability, and determination. Those lessons often carry more weight than the easy rides.

That’s why we don’t just teach surfing, we share what it truly means to be part of surf culture: connection with nature, perseverance, respect, and a deep love for the ocean.

At Valpo Surf Project, we believe in the power of sport to transform lives. Watching our Groms grow, both as surfers and as confident young people, is what inspires us every day. We hope that one day, one of them will represent Chile, and VSP, in surfing competitions with pride. Until then, we’ll keep sharing stories, lessons, and waves together.