Surf Ecosystem Insurance
Surf Ecosystem Insurance is a financial tool that protects surf ecosystems and the coastal communities that depend on them from climate-fueled extreme weather events.
When an extreme weather event like a destructive storm disrupts the surf economy, the surf break or its surrounding ecosystem, Surf Ecosystem Insurance releases rapid funding for recovery, response and restoration, helping both the ecosystem and local economies recover faster.
Surf Ecosystem Insurance can help provide rapid access to funds so local businesses can stabilize quickly and critical ecosystem restoration and community-wide resilience-building can follow before damages get worse.
Overview
Surf Ecosystem Insurance can help provide rapid access to funds so local businesses can stabilize quickly and critical ecosystem restoration and community-wide resilience-building can follow before damages get worse.
How It Works
Surf Ecosystem Insurance follows parametric insurance models and would pay out automatically when specific weather conditions cross predefined thresholds – like excessive rainfall, wind speed, wave height, or flooding – rather than waiting for physical damage inspections. When the trigger is reached, funds are released quickly, within days of the event, avoiding lengthy claims processes.
This model chosen for Surf Ecosystem Insurance makes payouts fast, predictable, and transparent, which is critical for communities recovering from extreme weather events. The triggers are based on oceanographic and climate data that correlate with both disruptions to local surf-dependent economies and the surf ecosystems that drive them.
Pilot Location
Oriente Salvaje, El Salvador:
World Surfing Reserve
The Oriente Salvaje World Surfing Reserve has over 12 waves in its 19 kilometers of diverse coastline, including the renowned Las Flores and Punta Mango, and is the first WSR in El Salvador.
Our pilot location for this project focuses on a surf community chosen based on several criteria intended to maximize the potential resilience impact of the project:
- Economic importance of the surf breaks
- Type of climate impact that triggers disbursement
- Political feasibility
- Government capacity and support
- Ease of “policy purchase” by the community
- Lack of replacement for the surf breaks
In Oriente Salvaje, more than 70% of local income is generated directly through surfing, supporting a deeply interconnected coastal community – from hotel and restaurant operators to small-scale fishers, guides, and photographers.
As extreme weather events become more frequent, the ecosystems that sustain these livelihoods face increasing risk. Surf insurance offers a mechanism to protect both the waves and the people who depend on them, positioning the region to lead innovative resilience solutions.
Angelo Picardo
El Salvador Local Coordinator for Save The Waves.
Resources & technical studies
"Surfonomics: Economic Value of Surf-Related Tourism in Oriente Salvaje, El Salvador"
Estimating Economic Impacts of Extreme Weather Events for Development of Parametric Insurance for Surf Tourism
This document was created by Integral Consulting for Save The Waves Coalition, and was completed in March 2026. The study revealed that total direct expenditure associated with surfing is approximately $10. million per year, with local businesses are highly dependent on surfing as a driver of tourism.
Below you will find the complete technical reports for understanding climate risk to Oriente Salvaje’s surf ecosystems. This is a 3-part document series prepared by eCoast for Save The Waves’ Surf Ecosystem Insurance initiative.
Development of a Parametric Insurance Product for Oriente Salvaje, El Salvador: Phase 1
Phase 1: A characterization of surf ecosystems.
Development of a Parametric Insurance Product for Oriente Salvaje, El Salvador: Phase 2
Phase 2: Impacts of extreme weather events
Development of a Parametric Insurance Product for Oriente Salvaje, El Salvador: Phase 2, Part 2
Phase 2, Part 2: Flood impact modeling
Supported by:
This project was supported by the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA).
This project was undertaken with the financial support of:
Ce projet a été réalisé avec l’appui financier de:
‘’ORRAA is supporting Save The Waves to develop pioneering parametric insurance for surf ecosystems. This innovative approach helps coastal communities and the Ocean adapt and thrive, creating greater economic, social and cultural resilience
