World Surfing Reserves
World Surfing Reserves is a program launched in 2009 by the non-governmental organization Save the Waves Coalition aimed at protecting global surf habitats. The program proactively identifies, designates and enshrines international waves, surf zones and surrounding environments, protecting them from the threat of development.
History
The idea to protect surf spots came to one of the cofounders of the program, the Australian Brad Farmer, during the 1990s, convinced that those protected areas should be «places of intrinsic environmental, heritage, sporting and cultural value to a nation». In 2005, he cofounded the National Surfing Reserve with Andrew Short. After four years of naming surf spots in Australia, Farmer and Short partnered with the NGO Save the Waves Coalition and launched the World Surfing Reserves to go international with their protection program. It was officially launched at the Value of Waves Roundtable held in Half Moon Bay, California.In March 2016, Brad Farmer retired from the project and called for Hawaii to become the country's next location of the World Surfing Reserves.
Locations
There are currently nine surfing reserves across the world. World Surfing Reserves are nominated through a selection process and there are currently dozens of proposed WSRs covering nearly every continent on the planet. The dates indicated the commencement of the commitment by the local and international communities to protect and preserve Malibu as an iconic surf site. in Huanchaco beach sunset. Caballitos de Totora are considered one of the first ways of surfing.| Nb | Country | Location | Since | Note |
| 1 | USA | Malibu Surfrider Beach | 9 October 2010 | 1st World Surfing Reserve site. |
| 2 | Portugal | Ericeira | 14 October 2011 | 4km stretch, 7 surf spots, recognized for its high density of surf breaks, wave quality, and unique environment. |
| 3 | Australia | Freshwater Beach | 10 March 2012 | 4km stretch, declared the "Manly-Freshwater World Surfing Reserve", inaugurated by Kelly Slater and Marie Bashir. |
| 4 | USA | Santa Cruz, California | 27–28 April 2012 | Inaugurated by Pat O'Neil. |
| 5 | Peru | Huanchaco beach, Trujillo | 26 October 2013 | The surf spot is famous for the caballitos de totora. |
| 6 | Mexico | Todos Santos Islands | 20 June 20014 | stretch from Salsipuedes to El Sauzal. |
| 8 | Australia | Gold Coast | 8 March 2016 | 16km stretch from Burleigh to Snapper Rocks. |
| 9 | Brazil | Guarda do Embaú | 28 October 2019 | World-class wave that breaks consistently year-round. |
| Chile | Punta de Lobos | 20 November 2017 | WSR purchased the Mirador Property at the tip of the Punta de Lobos to protect this area. | |
| Australia | Noosa Beach | 20 November 2017 | 4km stretch |
Since 2019, the North Devon beach is being surveyed to be included in the list of reserves.
Mission
The mission of the World Surfing Reserves program is to gain international recognition and support for wave and coastal protection around the world by creating a global network of designated surfing reserves. WSR also recognizes environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits of waves. WSR was created in conjunction with National Surfing Reserves Australia, and has established partnerships with the International Surfing Association, and Stanford University's Center for Responsible Travel. WSR is also affiliated with the Surf Conservation Partnership led by Conservation International.In August 2009, WSR called for nominations from all national surfing federations. More than 150 sites were nominated from 34 countries. WSR eventually plans to induct 30-40 surf breaks around the world. The program has gained a substantial amount of positive feedback and support from the sport's leaders, including Kelly Slater.
Council and committee
World Surfing Reserves is led by an international executive committee and vision council. It is the responsibility of these groups to govern the program and make the final wave selections. For a specific surf site to enter WSR, the region must have exceptional and consistent surf, along with a rich history and culture of surfing, as well as strong community support.Vision Council
Fernando Aguerre, Will Henry, Jim Moriarty, Tony Butt, Terry Gibson, Len Materman, Miles Walsh, Wallace J. Nichols, Steve Hawk, Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, Tiago Pires, Greg Long, Mark Massara, Chris LaFrankie, Chad Nelsen, Neil Lazarow, Brad Farmer, Manolo Lozano, Juca De Barros, Drew Kampion, Professor Andy Short, Professor Ben Finney.
Executive Committee
Professor Andy Short, Brad Farmer, Drew Kampion, Will Henry, Dean LaTourrette.