The Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve successfully hosted a two day International Surfing Symposium (ISS) at the Gold Coast in early March that convened an impressive turnout of surfing legends, coastal management experts, and academics. STW’s Nick Mucha and Trey Highton both presented at the ISS.
The two-day symposium, co-hosted by Griffith University, was the first of its kind in Australia and showcased the Gold Coast’s impressive academic and conservation communities that are committed to preserving their unique coastal resources. The symposium drew attendees from Italy, Germany, New Zealand, United States, the UK, and Brazil.
The Gold Coast visit was also a great opportunity to meet with Gold Coast City Council to reaffirm their commitments to the World Surfing Reserve program. Nick and Gold Coast WSR secretary, Gary Radcliff, met with the Mayor’s office to identify critical next steps towards the implementation of their Gold Coast Surf Management Plan and ensure that the WSR’s Local Stewardship Council is actively engaged in that process.
Save The Waves also made an Australian debut of the STW Film Festival at the Surfworld Surf Museum to a full room of ISS participants and Gold Coast locals.