Surfers of the World Unite to Save Waves

This post was reported and written by Serge Dedina.

“We are more than a wave,” Pablo Narvaez of Barra de la Cruz told me last week while we ate lunch at the Rosarito Beach Hotel. 

Barra de la Cruz, considered one of the world’s best waves by Surfer Magazine, is an indigenous coastal village in Mexico where surfing is the main source of tourist revenues. “We have sea turtles, a mangrove lagoon and a beautiful village filled with culture,” Pablo said. 

Pablo was among surf conservationists from 19 organizations representing 10 countries who came together in Rosarito Beach at the 3rd Global Wave Conference, the world’s largest gathering dedicated to global wave protection. Hosted by the International Symposium on the Protection of Waves, the conference was held to discuss experiences and strategies to protect coastal ecosystems and resources. 

“Over the last decade the surf conservation movement has blossomed but until recently the world’s surf protection groups have been working in isolation,” said Surfrider Foundation Environmental Director Dr. Chad Nelsen. “The Global Wave Conference is designed to change that and promote exchange of knowledge and programs, information sharing and collaboration, with the larger goal to establish a unified front for global wave protection.”

The conference represents a growing understanding that the world’s coastlines, and more specifically its surf spots, are important economical, ecological, cultural and recreational resources that must be protected. 

"The GWC was a really productive and amazing conference, from local fishermen in Baja, to nonprofit leaders in the UK to representatives from the UNDP in Costa Rica. 

The true strength of the conference was to create new and innovative partnerships among all surf users,” said Save the Waves Executive Director Nik Strong-Cvetich.
In Rosarito Beach, a number of the attendees represented communities throughout Mexico and Latin America who are striving to conserve their waves, beaches, and ways of life through surfing tourism and conservation.

“Representation from small coastal fishing and surfing villages put a spotlight on some great examples of surf protection taking place under the radar in Mexico, one of the most popular countries for surf tourism on the globe," said Zach Plopper who works with me at WILDCOAST. 

Local conference participants discussed strategies to protect coastal access and surf spots.  According to Dr. Eduardo Najera, Director of COSTASALVAJE, “Surfing provides a unique way to get in contact with nature and can increase people's awareness about coastal conservation and sustainable use of the coastline.” 

Fernando Marvan from Surf Ens presented on the recently established Bahia Todos Santos World Surfing Reserve. Carlos Luna of Rosarito Beach and Alfredo Ramirez of UAPO discussed youth surfing in the region and the future of the sport in Baja California. 

“Waves are natural resources. It is up to us to protect them. As ocean lovers we need to spread the love and also educate young surfers about our environment,” said Alfredo, who organizes youth surfing contests and lessons in both the U.S. and Mexico. “They are the next generation that will take care of our coasts.”

Artemio Murillo and Jaime Villavicencio traveled all of the way from the fishing village of Bahia Asuncion in Baja California Sur to make a presentation on how surfing has been a catalyst for coastal stewardship. Jaime helps fix up old surfboards in his remote village to make sure local kids can surf. 

One of the most moving presentations was by Pablo Narvaez who discussed how his tiny Oaxaca community of 800 people is effectively managing their coastal resources and offered a model that can be replicated in many areas around the world. 

“We charge a fee to use our beach services. Those monies in turn fund community projects and medical care for every member of our village,” said Pablo. 
Presentations were also given by Surfers Against Sewage from the UK, Save the Waves, Salvem o Surf from Portugal, Surfrider Europe, Surfers Environmental Alliance, the Canary Island Surfing Federation, Desarrollo y Gestion Costera from Peru and Oso and Golfito Initiative from Costa Rica. 

“Every wave is unique. Every beach is important for the community,” said Carlo Grigoletto, Executive Director, Desarrollo y Gestión Costera (DGCOSTERA) of Peru.
Brad Former of the Gold Coast Surf Council in Australia, “There’s no reason why all major surf cities internationally can’t adopt a Surf Management Plan to extend beyond National and World Surfing Reserves models.”

The conference concluded with a field trip to Ensenada to view some of the exceptional efforts being carried out by local community groups NGOs and the location of what will be Mexico’s first World Surfing Reserve in Bahia Todos Santos.

The reserve that will be launched sometime in the fall, will include San Miguel, Tres Emes, Salsipuedes and Todos Santos Island. 

“The conference also delivered the first ever united global action for wave protection through Global Wave Wednesday. A great template for working together,” said Hugo Tagholm, Director with Surfers Against Sewage.

As an act of solidarity the groups attending the Global Wave Conference agreed to support Surfers Against Sewage’s Protect Our Wave campaign, which is designed to increase legal protection for surfing in the UK. 

"It was great to see the commitment, tenacity and innovative approaches surfers are using to protect the waves they love all over the planet,” said Surfrider Foundation Executive Director Jim Moriarty.

Serge Dedina is the Executive Director of WiLDCOAST, an international conservation team that conserves coastal and marine ecosystems and wildlife. He is the author of Wild Sea: Eco-Wars and Surf Stories from the Coast of the Californias and Saving the Gray Whale. He lives and surfs in Imperial Beach.