Surf in shanty town - Rio de Janeiro - Rocinha.

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Surf in shanty town - Rocinha. Published by sidonie blanc

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The story of Ricardo Bocao, this child of the shanty town became a pioneer of surfing in Rio as an example for all kids in trouble. More than an exceptional athlete, he looks through sport to train  citizens liable.

150, 200, 300 000 residents? No one knows the exact population of Rocinha, the largest shanty town in South America. This is where Ricardo Bocoa installed "The Guardería", his surf school for children in difficulty. Twenty square meters in the open, leaning against the recycling plant at the foot of a muddy creek where the waters flow gently soiled.

Graduate of a certificate of physical educator affiliated with the Brazilian federation, Bocoa teaches them how to overcome the waves of Sao Conrado, one of the spots of Rio. "And above all how to face the hell of a life that has not spoiled. I am just trying to train champions citizenship! I try to give them another consciousness, the basic rules of respect, listening and of life.

Putting them in the water, I want above all derive from the street, "he says. Twenty kids attend the alternative school is their last refuge, their mark, even of salvation.

He did not have the favor of Segundo Tempo, implemented by the Lula government to education in poor neighborhoods. It can only count on him, his odd jobs, and recently, on using "Chaos Pilot" and "Surfrider Foundation". With it, he just have a gift of Jack Johnson. What finally give him a salary : 600 reals for a year.

Most projects are initiated by residents of Rocinha. But in reality, it should be a real support of the government. Whenever the election, they promise to invest, build land. I do more. "So to continue, he taught courses to apprentice surfers crossing at Rio, that friends send him.

It do not despair: " I will be one day recognized and aided. I have faith in the Brazilian flag." His board will be salvation of Europe. The Danish association "Chaos Pilot" sent an officer, Sarah Emilie Jessen-Petersen. She developed contacts and projects full head.

"It's to build an alternative from this rich experience. This means do all the official procedures, to find a place that allows it to consider the long term, especially ethical sponsors."

This can be achieved only Bocoa as president and with a little patience " she summarizes.
No time to wait. It is already two o'clock in the afternoon, we must embark everything small world. Ten minutes away, on the beach of Sao Conrado, the post 13 from Rio, a famous spot for surfers.
On board, concrete blocks and houses under construction have failed. The kids in heat, then leave in single file. Jogging on the beach, from where a slide into the waves. An hour and a few waves later, they call into round and listen Bocoa dreaming, all lying on the sand "the most polluted of Rio".