For decades, El Salvador’s biggest and most violent gangs have been battling over territory. More recently, however, the criminal organizations have been fighting a new enemy: the police and military, who’ve been ordered to destroy them. The increase in violence has led to death tolls not seen since the country’s civil war. And it has had a devastating impact on the country’s peaceful civilians.
Amid international news reporting on the violence and unrest, it’s easy to forget that El Salvador is a tropical paradise with some of Central America’s best waves. It’s also easy to avoid this region for fear of altercation. But Aussie surf goddess Ellie-Jean Coffey has done neither of these things. In the latest episode of “Over the Rainbow,” a video series by Cos We Can charting the complex life of Ellie, we follow her on a charity mission to El Salvador.
Aside from scoring epic El Salvadorian surf, Ellie was able to give back to the kids stricken by gang-related turmoil and life on the streets. Through surfing, foundations aim to keep the kids off the streets and away from the violence. And for Ellie, the chance to give back to young girls in need is vital part of her life, whether it be via surfing or any way she can.
You can watch the two previous episodes of “Over the Rainbow” here, which chart Ellie’s complex relationship with women in surfing. And stay tuned for episode four, the final installment.
