Who will be the 9th World Surfing Reserve?
Call for WSR applications opens July 1st.
World Surfing Reserves (WSR), a program of Save The Waves Coalition, will be accepting applications July 1, 2016 – September 30, 2016 for the newest World Surfing Reserve.
If you are interested in submitting an application for your break, please CLICK HERE to complete the application.
Applications will be judged on how well they score on each of the four main World Surfing Reserve criteria: Wave Quality and Consistency; Environmental Characteristics; Culture and Surf History; Capacity and Local Support.
World Surfing Reserves proactively identifies, designates and preserves outstanding waves, surf zones and surrounding environments around the
world. Save The Waves Coalition, along with key partners National Surfing Reserves (NSR) Australia and the International Surfing Association (ISA), launched World Surfing Reserves in 2009. The program serves as a global model for preserving wave breaks and their surrounding areas by recognizing and protecting the key environmental, cultural, economic and community attributes of surfing areas. Watch the video on the recent dedication at Australia’s Gold Coast summarizing the value WSRs bring to coastal communities.
The WSR Vision Council will meet in October to select the newest World Surfing Reserve joining the ranks of the other eight World Surfing Reserves around the world including Malibu, California; Ericiera, Portugal; Manly Freshwater Beach, Australia; Santa Cruz, California; Huanchaco, Peru; Bahia de Todos Santos, Baja California, Mexico; Punta de Lobos, Chile; and Gold Coast, Australia. Watch the video for a glimpse into the WSR Vision Council’s approval process.
World Surfing Reserves play an important role in supporting local community efforts to preserve their waves and coastal resources. With Save The Waves support, each World Surfing Reserve develops a Local Stewardship Plan to help identify the key coastal issues and outline strategies for permanent and legal protection of their coastline. Most recently the World Surfing Reserve program has been focused on a diverse array of conservation strategies in program locations including obtaining federal protection along Huanchaco, Peru’s WSR, advocating for the first state park in Baja California, improving water quality at Cowell’s Beach in Santa Cruz, and establishing a land-trust conservation model at Punta de Lobos, Chile.
To learn more, visit www.worldsurfingreserves.org
Please direct any questions to:
Nick Mucha, Director of Programs, Save The Waves Coalition
831-345-4837
Skype: nick.mucha1