our programs
We Surf Ecosystems.
We believe that legally protected areas, effective stewardship and a mobilized constituency result in healthy and protected surf ecosystems.
Protected Areas
We protect surf ecosystems by creating protected areas in high priority coastal ecosystems that overlap with high quality surf.
WORLD SURFING RESERVES
SURF PROTECTED AREA NETWORKS
Program Highlight:
THE AZORES, PORTUGAL
Save The Waves launched a new initiative for creating SPANs in the Azores through the Blue Azores program with Waitt Foundation.
Ongoing campaigns
International campaigns to preserve and defend threatened waves and valuable surf ecosystems – from Mexico to The Maldives.
Save The Waves App
recent news in programs
Representing Surf Breaks at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal
Last month, Save The Waves Coalition attended the United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal which brought together governments, NGO’s, and political leaders to discuss the current state of the oceans and work on solutions to the multiple crises we face. Save The Waves participated in high level discussions surrounding coastal protected areas, the importance
Learn how to report plastic pollution using your phone
The impacts of plastic pollution According to the United Nations “plastic waste makes up 80% of all marine pollution and around 8 to 10 million metric tons(about the same weight as 2 of the great pyramids in Egypt) of plastic end up in the ocean each year”. There are currently about 50-75 trillion pieces of
Cowell’s Beach Success: Another Year of Improved Water Quality
For the third consecutive year, Cowell Beach is not included on Heal the Bay’s “Beach Bummer” list.
How to Protect A Local Surf Ecosystem: Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
“Our community is as strong as our wave.” How do you preserve one the of premiere Costa Rican surf breaks and its local wildlife?
Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica dedicated and celebrated as World Surfing Reserve
BREAKING: Costa Rica’s Playa Hermosa was dedicated as the newest World Surfing Reserve, designating Garabito’s famous surf break as only one out of twelve such surf reserves across the globe and the first in Central America
Our Ocean Conference: Save The Waves represents surf conservation on an international platform
“This experience was a powerful reminder that while our challenges are great, our collaborative potential is immense.”
North Devon: The Quintessential UK Surf Ecosystem
As surfers, we value places with good waves, but there are other factors that keep us enchanted and hooked to our favorite coastal zones. Selected as the next World Surfing Reserve North Devon embodies the definition of a surf ecosystem.
North Devon announced as 12th World Surfing Reserve
Breaking News: North Devon has been selected at the 12th World Surfing Reserve! This international designation recognises the area’s outstanding quality surfing beaches, and brings together the local community to celebrate and protect their coastal heritage.
The Repsol Oil Spill in Peru: Its Ongoing Impact and How You Can Help
By Gino Passalacqua | Oil spills can take months to years to clean up, and the impacts will continue to be noticeable along the Peruvian coast for a long time. For these reasons, it is important to collect data through citizens’ participation to understand the magnitude of the spill.