The Dominican Surfing Federation has a training program for young people in Barahona province to become surfers. Volunteers Mateo Holmes and Raylin D. Romero Feliz spent the month of August in Playa San Rafael where surfboards and training were provided. The goal is to educate local youngsters so they can learn the sport while contributing to their integral development so they can make positive contributions to their communities. The program also includes environmental awareness training, so they can help protect the beach ecosystems. This month the federation will take the same program to Playa Paraiso, and in October they will be at Playa Enriquillo. Playa Bahoruco is another surfer beach in the area. Playa Mosquea (Pedernales), about an hour’s drive away, is also popular with surfers. Nearer to Santo Domingo, Pathos in Nizao (San Cristobal), and Chinchorro and Manresa in Haina (Santo Domingo) are surfer beaches on the south coast. The program is aimed at training local young people to work as surf instructors in the area.