February’s Recipient of Sayulita Life’s $5,000 Donation*: Sayulita’s Junior SUP Team

The Junior SUP team was a program founded on Sayulita’s need for a structured, youth, community activity, inclusive to all children, no matter what socio-economic situation they come from. As incredible as Sayulita is, five years ago, there was a real lack of formal after-school programs for kids, as not every child is called to surfing, thus potentially leading to good kids making bad life choices or getting off-track for a successful future.

Javier Jimenez and his wife, Shelby Taylor, after finishing their last professional SUP racing world tour in 2015, settled in home and planted their roots in Sayulita to establish the Junior SUP team. The team started with a group of seven children, training 2 days a week after school, and grew over the first year to a roster of over 45 children training in three leveled groups, five days of the week. 

The couple was able to purchase a custom made children’s race board and paddle quiver from local donations, a sponsorship from Colegio Costa Verde, and parent support. The equipment assured that each child had the same opportunity and was included, so no child had to worry about purchasing their own expensive gear. Local businesses, such as Wakika, aided in getting professional uniforms printed, which are now given to each child for free when they join the team as part of their commitment to the program, and promise that they will follow the rules of the team and keep coming to practice. Yah Yah made T-Shirt printing happen, which was used as a fundraiser to put on great local events that showcased the children’s talents to the town of Sayulita. Needless to say, the program is a community based team to the core- and works hard to shape the bodies,  minds, and relationships of Sayulita youth, to ensure that they feel supported, confident, strong, and safe. 

The team offers training for ages 7-17, beginner fun groups, to our top elite squad that travels around the world to the industry’s top races. The elite racers have brought home 17 international medals over the last three years, making the Sayulita Junior Sup Team a well known and respected name around the world, not only here in our home town. Our children train hard, are required to maintain grades and good behavior in school, and participate in local events and fundraisers to keep the team growing and shining! Any local youth who are interested in joining are welcome to sign up. We encourage all who want to participate at any skill level.