Save The Waves (STW) wishes to thank Body Glove and Surfline for its support towards bringing increased awareness to the World Surfing Reserves (WSR) program and to 2010 as the year of global surf spot enshrinements.
WSR seeks to identify and enshrine the most important and cherished surf areas around the world, in partnership with local surf communities. Each WSR is a meeting of land and sea selected for the unique and salutary nature of its waves, surf history and natural setting. The dedication of each WSR seeks the protection of this coastal zone of waves and habitat from wanton destruction and exploitation – through no other mechanism but the positive force of appreciation and valuation.
The “Vote for your Favorite and Most Sacred Wave” campaign has reinforced this mission and has proven to be a useful tool for STW Staff to have an initial indicator of community support towards the enshrinement of specific iconic waves from around the world.
STW learnt that Trestles was the most voted wave (354 votes), proving it’s still on the mind of most surfers as an endangered wave. Far-away waves such as G-Land and Teauhpoo got significant votes (more than 100), epic Northern California (ok officially Central California!) waves such as Mavericks and Santa Cruz got less than 75 votes, while Southern California gems such as Malibu and Black’s Beach got more than 75 votes. Finally world-class surf zones such as Ericeira and Hossegor in Europe, Fernando de Noronha in Brazil, North Narrabeen, Manly Beach and Burleigh Heads in Australia got less than 30, while Raglan in New Zealand and Punta de Lobos in Chile got around 50 votes.
Ongoing evaluation of community support means connecting with local national surfing federations, local surf club representatives, local environmental organizations, local surf businesses, local policy-makers and local story-tellers to establish a group of people who can be representative stewards of the surf spot.
In late 2009, more than 40 sites from a pool of over 125 iconic beaches nominated by 34 countries were scored and selected as WSR eligible by our Vision Council (VC). The VC scores waves based on three fundamental criteria: 1) Quality and Consistency of Wave/Surf Zone; 2) Surf Culture and History of Wave/Surf Zone and 3) Environmental Characteristics of Wave/Surf Zone and neighboring areas.
The naming of the specific WSR eligible sites that will be enshrined in 2010 is anticipated soon, according to Dean LaTourrette, Executive Director of Save The Waves Coalition. “In 2009 STW focused on creating a nomination process that could be as inclusive of all surfing communities, yet have explicit global legitimacy – through our partnership with the International Surfing Association and National Surfing Reserves – Australia as well as important meetings with UNESCO Staff in Paris we achieved our goal. We are now ready for 2010 as the year of global surf spot enshrinement!”
Stay tuned for more updates on enshrinement events and ways to participate in the World Surfing Reserves movement.
For more information:
www.savethewaves.org/world_surfing_reserves
Media release: Body Glove and Save The Waves April 15, 2010