It may not be as famous as Unesco and probably not everyone, even surfers, knows it, but there is an organization whose goal is to save the waves of our planet.
This organization is called World Surfing Reserves and its mission is to save the world, one wave at a time.
Basically the WSR is concerned with identifying, designating and proactively preserving waves, surf areas and surrounding environments around the world.
Created and managed by Save The Waves Coalition in 2009, the program works in partnership with local communities to preserve an increasing number of waves and beach resorts around the planet, from the United States to Australia to Europe and beyond - precisely like UNESCO does but for surfing. And just like UNESCO sites, the rationale behind the designations is to protect the things that make each spot so compelling. World Surf Reserves are iconic locations that are home to an amazing combination of natural beauty, marine wildlife, cultural heritage and, of course , big surf waves. In short, iconic places to visit, at least once, if you surf, but not only.
So here's a very quick rundown of the current 10 world surf reserves.
Malibu California, USA
Malibu was designated in 2009 as the world's premier surf reserve due to the stellar quality of its waves and the pivotal role it played in the birth of modern surfing culture.
Malibu waves represent California surfing at its best. Back in the 1920s, surfers around the world regarded its long walls as the very definition of a perfect wave. "Malibu is the exact spot on earth where ancient surfing became modern surfing," Paul Gross once wrote. Some of the shapers who designed the first high performance surfboards (Bob Simmons, Joe Quigg and Matt Kevlin, among others) designed their groundbreaking prototypes here.
Surfrider Beach in Malibu and the surrounding area are part of a complex ecosystem that includes the watershed of Malibu Creek and the Malibu Lagoon, thanks to whose sediment those perfect waves originate. The whole area is rich in flora and fauna.
The community surrounding Malibu and the surf break is active and engaged, made up of recreational and professional surfers, surf clubs, environmental groups, and other community organizations. The break is a source of pride and identity for the locals and the beach acts as a de facto town hall for residents and visitors.
Malibu is a constant magnet for swells, working well in spring, summer and fall. On larger days the surf can reach 8 feet and create surfable walls that from the second peak take you down to the pier about 100 meters away.
Ericeira Portogallo
Ericeira is currently the only world wave reserve in Europe.
Ericeira, Portugal is a world-class surf zone that includes 7 exceptional surf spots in just 4 km of coastline including Ribeira d'Ilhas and Coxos. The coast is dominated by rocky cliffs and dotted with beaches located in small bays. The waters of the Ericeira coast are among the richest in biodiversity in the world and inland there are sites of exceptional cultural interest.
The diversity of waves in the area, together with the varying degrees of difficulty, offer opportunities for all levels of surfers, from beginners to professionals. Ericeira is also home to several surf schools, as well as regional and international surfing competitions.
The best time to surf in Ericeita is from autumn to spring (October-May).
Manly Beach, Australia
Manly is Sydney's most famous surf beach and together with Freshwater beach it is the world's third largest surf reserve, this time on the Australian continent. The beaches of Manly-Freshwater are bordered by sandstone headlands, with the lovely white sand beaches in between.
Recognized as the birthplace of surfing in Australia, the reserve encompasses Freshwater Beach and all of Manly - from Queenscliff to North Steyne to Manly and Fairy Bower.
Manly-Freshwater represents very well the spirit of a World Surfing Reserve: a place with a very rich surfing history and culture, combined with a consistent and quality surf with waves always in abundance, which past generations will enjoy. and future.
Santa Cruz, California, USA
Santa Cruz is the second world wave reserve established in California. Santa Cruz is a marine protected area located within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The beaches of Santa Cruz are home to many sea otters, seals, sea lions and a variety of seabirds, along with the occasional migrating whale and great white shark. Along this stretch of coast there are at least 23 surf breaks, including the two world-class breaks of Steamer Lane and Pleasure Point. And Santa Cruz is also recognized as the place where America's first surfboard was made.
Here the waves are labeled from "beginner" to "expert" so that surfers of all ages and levels can find their wave among the numerous reef and sand breaks.
The World Surfing Reserve here seeks to address and protect the area from three fundamental threats: marine debris, water quality and sea level rise.
Huanchaco, Peru
Huanchaco is a renowned surfing destination in Peru thanks to its consistent, clean waves and its ancient pre-Columbian history as a seafaring city. Huanchaco is recognized as the cradle of Peru's "caballito de totora", one of the first surf boats known to mankind used to sail the waves for both business and pleasure.
More consistent from April to October, Huanchaco works with waves of 1 to 3 meters of excellent quality on most days.
BAHIA DE TODOS SANTOS, Baja, Mexico
Bahia de Todos Santos is the ultimate surfing destination with a great variety of big waves ranging from pebble breaks to XXL reefs to fun beach breaks.
But what is most impressive here is the high quality of the waves found within the boundaries of the Reserve, including Salsipuedes, San Miguel, 3M's, Stacks and the big wave spot Killers on Isla Todos Santos. Thanks to an excellent exposure that allows you to benefit from both swells from the north and south, Bahia de Todos Santos has waves that can be surfed all year round, although during the winter the northwest waves produce the best waves in many. of its most famous points.
Ensenada is largely considered the birthplace of Mexican surfing, and Bahía de Todos Santos serves as Mexico's premier surf reserve thanks to the local people who understood the need to preserve it.
Punta de Lobos, Chile
Punta de Lobos is one of the most iconic sinister points in the world and one of the best known waves in Chile. Characterized by a series of passable sections, it is not uncommon for the sections to connect and can be surfed for up to 800 meters. Punta Lobos breaks in all conditions, from 1m to 10m and hosts various contests including the Big Wave World Tour.
Punta de Lobos is part of a global biodiversity hotspot, boasting incredible marine and land resources. Moving away from the Humboldt Current brings nutrient-rich cold water into the area, which attracts a variety of species such as sperm whales, killer whales, common sea lions, sea turtles, penguins, cormorants, gulls, pelicans and many more.
Here the Save The Waves foundation together with a local foundation and Patagonia managed to buy the Mirador property of Punta de Lobos to protect it.
Gold Coast, Australia
Located on the east coast of Australia in the state of Queensland, the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve stretches 10 miles from Burleigh Point to Snapper Rocks and includes a number of world-class points, including the famous "Superbank".
The combination of erosive forces, seasonal influences and the northward movement of the sand created those perfect break points that we all know.
Snapper Rocks, Rainbow, Greenmount Point, depending on the season, the three points can join in a single long wave (February-July) or remain separate (August-January). Here is also the legendary point of Kirra, considered the best wave on earth that offers, when it works properly, the longest tubes on the planet.
Moving north, you will find other famous points such as Elephant Rock in Currumbin and many more up to Burleigh, the northernmost point of the Gold Coast. Burleigh is also considered to be one of the best waves in the world.
Guarda do Embaú, Brasile
Guarda do Embaú is home to a world-class wave that breaks steadily all year round and is known as one of the best surf spots in Brazil. The combination of world-class waves in a pristine coastal setting has fueled a vibrant conservation-oriented surf community that appears to be getting stronger every year.
The best months for waves are during the rainy season (summer and part of autumn), but the waves actually come all year round. The wave works best with a swell from the East that makes it reach up to 10 feet.
Noosa Queensland, Australia
The Noosa World Surfing Reserve comprises five world class point breaks and three very consistent beach breaks, offering quality surfing in very varied conditions and stretches from Laguna Bay in Noosa Main Beach to the beach break in North Sunshine Beach. In this area it is very rare that there are no surfable waves, although there can be some scarcity of swells in late winter and early spring.
The five points of Noosa on rock and sand offer a variety of waves capable of adapting to all skill levels, from beginners to experts.
Chosen for high-quality waves, distinct environmental features, surfing history, and community support, the Noosa World Surfing Reserve is an exemplary coastal community dedicated to conserving its coastal and surfing resources.
Pubblicato il 20 aprile 2020 | Blog > Trips: SURF