WORLD SURFING RESERVES
Protecting outstanding surf breaks around the world.
World Surfing Reserves serves as a model standard for preserving wave breaks and their surrounding areas by recognizing and protecting key environmental, cultural and economic attributes in coastal communities.
Save The Waves’ flagship program proactively identifies, designates and preserves outstanding waves, surf zones and their surrounding environments around the world. WSRs represent a global network of designated surfing reserves that are managed, implemented, and protected by local communities.
What is the World Surfing Reserves program?
The World Surfing Reserves (WSR) program proactively identifies, designates and preserves outstanding waves, surf zones and their surrounding environments around the world.
Although the program is managed and administered by Save The Waves Coalition, WSRs represent a global network of designated surfing reserves that are managed, implemented, and protected by the local community.
World Surfing Reserves provide a platform and stakeholder engagement mechanism to pursue projects that protect the surf, community and environment.
Recent News on WSRs
Representatives from All 12 World Surfing Reserves Convene at Coalition Summit
The Coalition Summit held in Santa Cruz on June 7 through June 9 was a historic event for Save The Waves and the protection of surf ecosystems more broadly. It was the first time in the history of the World Surfing Reserves program that we brought the entire network together with all 12 WSR’s represented
Guarda do Embau World Surfing Reserve Water Quality Project Update
Guarda do Embau, the ninth World Surfing Reserve, has continued to work diligently towards the long-term protection of the most important ecosystem attribute for the coast, the Rio do Madre. It is this river that flows from the mountains of the Serra do Tabuleiro State Park down to the breaking waves at Guarda that is
North Devon, UK is dedicated as the 12th World Surfing Reserve
The first World Surfing Reserve in the United Kingdom was dedicated in North Devon! As only one of twelve World Surfing Reserves designated across the globe, the inauguration sets into motion new and enthusiastic efforts to protect and preserve over 30 km of coastline.
Application Window For ‘World Surfing Reserves’ Opens!
The search for the next World Surfing Reserve begins! Save The Waves has once again opened the application window and started the process to select the 13th WSR.
Created in partnership with local communities.
We work collaboratively with local coalition partners at each site guiding them through a conservation planning process that results in the creation of a Local Stewardship Council (LSC) and a Reserve Stewardship Plan. The LSC is responsible for the ongoing management of the Reserve once established.
Current World Surfing Reserves
We have designated 11 WSR sites to date operating under LSC management in: California, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Brazil, Portugal, Costa Rica and Australia. One WSR has been nominated and pending designation in North Devon, UK.
Applying to Become a WSR
Each year, Save The Waves accepts one new World Surfing Reserve. The application process requires significant work from local communities and their inquiry is based on the following core criteria:
1) Quality and consistency of the wave(s);
2) Important environmental characteristics;
3) Culture and surf history;
4) Governance capacity and local support;
5) Priority Conservation Area
Applying to Become a WSR
Submission window: Jan 25th to May 25th, 2023
Each year, Save The Waves accepts one new World Surfing Reserve. The application process requires significant work from local communities and their inquiry is based on the following core criteria:
1) Quality and consistency of the wave(s);
2) Important environmental characteristics;
3) Culture and surf history;
4) Governance capacity and local support;
5) Priority Conservation Area