Lobitos

Lobitos is a town located on the west coast of Northern Peru. Being situated in a predominately dry climate, surfing
has been a critical sustenance for the community. With an influx of tourists coming to surf the waves of Lobitos,
concerns regarding the reciprocal benefit of their presence are raised.
There are constant negotiations between spaces in Lobitos. From informal paths to informal structures, traces of
movement and adaptation are embedded into the lives of the local inhabitants. However, when an excess population
of tourists comes, disruption and appropriation ensue as critical resources are drained from the community.
How can Lobitos develop methods of care and resistance to a thriving tourism industry to ensure reciprocal benefit for
all?
Leveraging a consistent cycle of surfing, we can shift the narrative around our relationship with different objects. By
identifying the material value of surfboards, possibilities for informality and spontaneity decided by local stakeholders
emerge. Here, a framework for utilizing the surfboard expands its use beyond its intent and generates an abundance
of benefits.