Project Olaya
Honouring Peru’s First Lifesaver.
Building Peru’s Future Lifesavers.
Project Olaya is Surf Life Saving Peru’s flagship community training and education program, designed to establish a new national standard for lifesaving, water safety, and community resilience across Peru’s coastal, river, and lake environments.
Named in honour of José Olaya Balandra, Peru’s national hero and symbol of courage, sacrifice, and service, Project Olaya embodies the spirit of selfless commitment to protecting others—particularly in moments of greatest danger.
PROJECT OLAYA
OPEN WATER SWIMMING & LIFESAVING PERFORMANCE PROGRAM
BECOME STRONGER. FASTER. UNSTOPPABLE
All ages welcome – kids, youth, adults.
Basic Swimming experience required.
Train with the President of Surf Life Saving Per
TRAINING FEES
Adam Perry Taylor
Internationally ranked, legally blind open water swimmer. Winner of Oceanman Lima 2024 (S13 Disabled Division, Open Division & Inspiration Award). Former Australian Champion (Nippers, Cadet Ironman, Board Rescue, Ocean Swimming). 40+ years Surf Life Saving Australia.
This is your opportunity to train beside an elite international athlete – not just be coached by one.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Elite open water swimming technique (2 km, 5 km, 10 km development)
Surf skills, wave reading & rescue readiness
Board paddling & lifesaving endurance training
Mindset, discipline & performance coaching
Competition preparation for OCEANMAN 2026 and future Surf Life Saving events
TRAINING SCHEDULE
Basic & Intermediate
Monday – Saturday
07:30 – 08:30 AM
Advanced
Tuesday– Thursday - Saturday
06:00 – 07:00 AM
Afternoon Session: 17:00 - 18:00
(Swimming and / or Body Surfing - Depends on Daily Conditions)
TRAINING FEES
S/. 10 per session
S/. 16 per day (2 sesiones)
If you don’t have the money, you can work. We have a lot to do to get the first Life Saving Club in Peru Built and Operational!
No one gets left behind.
Be part of the first generation of Surf Life Saving athletes in Peru.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Building a national lifesaving and aquatic sports culture.
Honoring the legacy of José Olaya.
See Course Details and Modules
What Is Project Olaya?
Project Olaya is a structured, progressive training and education initiative that introduces children, youth, and adults to lifesaving skills, physical conditioning, water competence, and civic responsibility.
The program integrates:
- Surf Life Saving training methodologies
- Water safety and drowning prevention
- Physical literacy and ocean awareness
- Discipline, teamwork, and leadership
- Community service and volunteerism
- Nutrition and Immune System Strengthening
- Movement and Complementary Cross Training Exercises
- Core-Strength Training and Multi-Discipline Exercise Regime
What is the Objective of Project Olaya?
OBJECTIVE OF THE CLASSES
To earn your bronze medal in Australia and qualify as a lifeguard, you NEED to swim 400m and run 1.5km within 15 minutes.
My goal with these classes is for YOU to be able to swim 600m and run 2.25km in the same amount of time.
This photo is of my first Sponsored Paddle Board as a Junior - 12 Years Old - in 1989
When I was competing 30 years ago, I managed to swim 800m and run 3km in 15 minutes.
Obviously, the current and the waves helped me with that.
The board was given to me upon me moving from Noosa Heads SLSC to Sunshine Beach SLSC and sponsored by Hayden Kenny , Australian Ironman Champion in 1960 and father of Legendary Ironman - Grant Kenny, who in the movie "Coolangatta Gold" was my Inspiration for wanting to become an Ironman - See the Movie Coolangatta Gold below.
My Father, Perry Taylor, taught Grant Kenny to fly Helicopters and went on to start Grant Kenny Aviation, and is now a Successful Businessman in Australia.
Project Olaya serves as the entry pathway into Surf Life Saving Peru (SLSP), creating a pipeline from community participation to certified lifesaver, volunteer leader, and future instructor.
Who Is Leading Project Olaya?
Project Olaya is led and delivered by Surf Life Saving Peru (SLSP), under the leadership of its President and Head Instructor, supported by qualified SLSP trainers, lifesavers, and international advisors.
The program is:
- Developed and governed by SLSP
- Aligned with international lifesaving standards
- Delivered in partnership with local communities, schools, and municipalities
- Supported by national and international lifesaving organisations
Instruction is provided by experienced lifesavers with deep expertise in coastal, riverine, and open-water environments, ensuring that training is both globally informed and locally relevant.
What Project Olaya Aims to Achieve
1. Prevent Drowning Through Early Education
The core aim of Project Olaya is to reduce preventable drownings by ensuring that water safety education begins early and is reinforced consistently.
Participants learn:
- How to identify hazards
- How to respond safely in emergencies
- When not to enter the water
- How to seek help effectively
2. Build the Next Generation of Lifesavers
Project Olaya creates a clear pathway from community participation to formal lifesaving roles.
Graduates can progress into:
- SLSP youth programs
- Accredited lifesaving training
- Volunteer patrols
- Leadership and instructor development
This pipeline ensures the long-term sustainability of Peru’s lifesaving capability.
3. Strengthen Physical and Mental Resilience
Training focuses on:
- Swimming and water confidence
- Strength, endurance, and coordination
- Discipline, focus, and self-regulation
- Teamwork under pressure
These skills extend well beyond the water, contributing to healthier, more resilient individuals and communities.
4. Embed Community Ownership and Volunteerism
Project Olaya is grounded in the belief that lifesaving is a shared responsibility.
Participants are taught:
- Respect for their environment
- Responsibility toward others
- Pride in service and volunteer contribution
- Leadership through action
This fosters strong community ownership of water safety outcomes.
5. Honour Peru’s Heritage While Building Its Future
By carrying the name of José Olaya, the program connects Peru’s historical values of courage and sacrifice with modern lifesaving practice.
Project Olaya transforms history into action—turning national pride into daily, life-saving impact.
A Program With National Impact
Designed for National Scale
Project Olaya is not a one-off initiative. It is designed to be:
- Replicable across all SLSP clubs
- Adaptable to coastal, river, and lake environments
- Scalable nationwide
- Integrated into Peru’s broader water safety strategy
As SLSP expands its network of clubs, Project Olaya will expand with it—becoming a cornerstone of Peru’s lifesaving culture.
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Project Olaya is the heart of Surf Life Saving Peru—training citizens to be stronger, safer, and ready to protect one another in the water, today and for generations to come.
Who Project Olaya Is For
Project Olaya is inclusive by design and accessible to participants of all backgrounds.
The program serves:
Children and youth (building confidence, safety, and physical foundations)
Young adults (pathways into certification and leadership)
Adults and community members (water safety, rescue awareness, first response)
Local residents of coastal, river, and lake communities
Tourism and fishing communities
Participants with disabilities, where appropriate, under adapted safety frameworks
Project Olaya does not require prior athletic experience—only commitment, respect for safety, and willingness to learn.
"THE COOLANGATTA GOLD"