Save The Waves Coalition

Salevemos Puerto Escondido: From an endangered waves campaign to World Surfing Reserve In September of 2023, Save The Waves joined the coalition formed by Costa Unida, Salvemos Colorada, and others to demand that the government take action to protect the waves and coastal ecosystem of Puerto Escondido. By uniting the local partners in a coalition under a common banner, the campaign aimed to elevate the voice of the local community and protect the surf in Puerto Escondido. In 2024, the local coalition submitted a WSR application with a proposed protection strategy for the mangrove ecosystem at Punta Colorada, addressed ongoing water quality and sewage issues, and sought out solutions to the sand flow and erosion issues at Zicatela. In early 2025, the WSR Vision Council voted on and approved Puerto Escondido's WSR Application, making it the next World Surfing Reserve. Save The Waves and local partners will now begin a Stewardship Planning Process to identify the key goals of the Puerto Escondido World Surfing Reserve and organize the Local Stewardship Council. The dedication of Puerto Escondido as the next World Surfing Reserve is slated for the early months of 2026. For more information about the newly nominated Puerto Escondido WSR, go to: https://lnkd.in/gWA7aB4s For more information on the process of becoming a World Surfing Reserve, go to: https://lnkd.in/d9pjpxhb #ProtectThePlacesYouLove Special thanks to O'Neill for supporting the WSR Program. ?? Edwin Morales "Place of Thorns"

Puerto Escondido Nominated as the Next World Surfing Reserve! Save The Waves Coalition has nominated Puerto Escondido as the 14th World Surfing Reserve to protect legendary waves like Zicatela and Punta Colorada and preserve over 10 km of surf ecosystems in this iconic Mexican surf haven! “Zicatela is not just a beach; it is our identity, our history, our life. Being recognized as a World Surfing Reserve is an honor, but also a responsibility.” – Humberto “Beto” Olivera This nomination will help recognize and protect the waves, biodiversity, and community that make Puerto Escondido an international treasure. Save The Waves is proud to continue to work alongside Salvemos Colorada, Costa Unida, SOS PUERTO, Fondo Oaxaque?o, to safeguard this paradise for generations to come! “Puerto Escondido reflects the quintessential surf ecosystem, incredible world-class waves, a biodiverse environment with important ecosystems for coastal resilience, and a united community willing and able to defend the place they love,” said CEO Nik Strong-Cvetich of Save The Waves. Learn more about the Puerto Escondido WSR nomination! https://lnkd.in/g7VJdrZ2 Special thanks to O'Neill for supporting the WSR Program.

"While on an expedition in Portugal, we had the privilege of partnering with Save The Waves Coalition, an organization fighting to protect some of the most iconic and fragile surf ecosystems on the planet. Because waves are so much more than surfers playgrounds—they are living, breathing systems that shape coastlines, support marine biodiversity, and sustain coastal communities. And right now, they’re under threat. Unchecked development, pollution, and climate change are erasing legendary surf breaks and the habitats that depend on them. The destruction of surf ecosystems is a loss for ocean conservation and communities around the world as a whole. Once a wave is altered or destroyed, it’s gone forever. Save The Waves is fighting back. Their work focuses on: --> Establishing Surf Protected Areas to safeguard waves and their surrounding ecosystems. --> Defending and ensuring public access and protection from reckless development.? --> Building stewardship projects to build resilience against climate change? -->Mobilizing and empowering local communities to take action to protect the places they love The threats are real. For example, budget cuts to NOAA, the National Parks System, and attacks on the California Coastal Act in the USA put over 190 surf ecosystems at risk. This includes places like Hawaii’s North Shore, SF’s Ocean Beach, the Outer Banks, and the Channel Islands. If you care about the ocean, the climate, and access to these wild places, this fight affects you. Save The Waves isn’t backing down, and neither should we. We were honored to stand alongside them in Portugal and see firsthand how they’re protecting our ocean." Thank you Andi Cross for focusing on our work across the globe and in the Azores in @oceanographic magazine Read our full feature in Oceanographic Magazine to learn more: tps://lnkd.in/gXN6qEER

Calling All Filmmakers! ?? Submit your film for consideration in the 2025 Save The Waves Film Festival ??? Do you have a surf, ocean, or environmentally-focused short film? We’re now accepting entries for our 2025 program. Open to amateurs and professionals alike. Deadline: April 1st, 2025. For more information and to submit a film, click the link below. https://lnkd.in/gvAWda_D

A Message from Our CEO, Nik Strong-Cvetich: At Save The Waves Coalition, we recognize that we are in an unprecedented moment in history. The budget cuts and threats to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Parks System and the California Coastal Act are unacceptable. As someone who cares deeply about the surf ecosystems, these particular indiscretions will have a real impact on all of us. First, in addition to providing all of the surf forecast data for free, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also administers the National Marine Sanctuaries of which 138 surf ecosystems are found. This includes the iconic breaks of Hawaii’s North Shore like Pipeline, Waimea, and Sunset; SF’s Ocean Beach and our home breaks of Steamer Lane, Pleasure Point and all the epic surf ecosystems of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Aside from National Parks being America’s “best idea”, over 55 surf ecosystems are contained within the National Park System. This includes waves like Malibu (National Recreation Area), Point Reyes, Outer Banks and the Channel Islands. Furthermore, holding the state of California hostage with aid for Los Angeles contingent on suspension of the California Coastal Act is another example of the irresponsible thuggery of the current administration. The California Coastal Act ensures all access to California’s coastal resources for its residents, and all Americans, as well as protecting our iconic surf ecosystems from rampant development like we’ve seen in all other coasts of the US. If you care about surfing and the places we’ve mentioned above, then that’s a concern to you. If you care about having data on weather, hurricanes swell forecast as a public good then you should care. If you care about having unfettered access to the coast of California, all these things should concern you. There’s a lot to be alarmed at. But we at Save The Waves are laser focused on our mission and these 3 items help us stay on track. We’re here to serve our Coalition and we’re not going anywhere. Join us. What you can do: 1) Call your representative. Let them know of your support for NOAA and the National Park System. Tell them these agencies are important to hundreds of local economies across the US. 2) If you are a business or organization, sign on to this letter protecting NOAA: https://lnkd.in/gbuuCZ2F 3) Follow Save The Waves Coalition and other environmental organizations The Surfrider Foundation The Wilderness Society National Park Foundation National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Ocean Conservancy Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

Unacceptable Actions by Trump Administration Harm Surf Ecosystems and the Environment At Save The Waves Coalition, we recognize that we are in an unprecedented moment in history. The budget cuts and threats to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Parks System and the California Coastal Act are unacceptable. Where we stand is clear: we oppose the Trump administration’s actions and intentions on environmental policies that harm, and will continue to harm, our mission of protecting surf ecosystems. At Save The Waves, we unequivocally stand for: PROTECTION: We believe in the protection of our unique and irreplaceable surf ecosystems and coastlines. We must retain the right and responsibility to preserve these critical habitats for all communities (and future generations) to enjoy, not for private interests to benefit from. ACCESS: The ability to access outdoor recreational spaces as public lands and natural sanctuaries. Access is more than a physical space: access to data and information is also a right. COMMUNITY: People need their connection to the ocean and to each other, especially during these times, and surf ecosystems are the shared arena that foster that connection. What you can do: 1) Call your representative. Let them know of your support for NOAA and the National Park System. Tell them these agencies are important to hundreds of local economies across the US. 2) If you are a business or organization, sign on to this letter protecting NOAA: https://lnkd.in/gbuuCZ2F 3) Follow Save The Waves Coalition and other environmental organizations The Surfrider Foundation The Wilderness Society National Park Foundation National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Ocean Conservancy Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

Oriente Salvaje World Surfing Reserve Dedication ?? Every World Surfing Reserve represents a coalition of passionate individuals and local groups beyond Save The Waves. Together, our combined dedication leads to the preservation and integrity of the area. For Oriente Salvaje, organizations such as Adetco El Salvador, Sociedad Salvaje Salvadore?a, and Paso Pacifico have led conservation initiatives and instituted tourism sustainability standards. Together, they led the effort to nominate and dedicate the eastern region of Oriente Salvaje as a World Surfing Reserve. Now, this Coalition is working together under the banner of the WSR. For more information on how Save The Waves Coalition empowers local communities to protect their surf ecosystems through the World Surfing Reserve program go to: www.savethewaves.org/wsr/ ?? Gaston Cine Supported by: Surf Industry Members Association (SIMA)

I’m super happy to be welcoming two new faces to the Save The Waves Coalition family, Breene Murphy and Ian Stewart! I’ve long been a huge fan of Breene Murphy, and his amazing work at the Carbon Collective--- he will be joining our advisory board. With a strong background in climate finance work plus his imititable stoke, will help us create new strategic avenues for tackling arbuably our biggest challenge. Plus the guy can surf! Ian has been a long time supporter of Save The Waves advisory capacity for a number of years, but will be joining the Board of Directors officially. With an amazing background in marketing with brands like Converse, TOMS, Excel, and now YULEX gives him a unique sight into Save The Waves as a brand and how we should grow as leaders in this space. Welcome amigos!

The Save The Waves staff and Coalition are thinking about the communities of Los Angeles as they face the ongoing devastation caused by destructive wildfires. Our hearts are with all those impacted, and we urge everyone to prioritize their safety and look out for others during this challenging time. We are grateful for all the first responders and firefighters working tirelessly to protect lives and communities. ?? @photos_x_yves

Our 2024 Impact! ?? Over 50,000 actions taken to support endangered wave campaigns ???? 12 new surf spots dedicated as a World Surfing Reserve ?? 3 World Surfing Reserves participated in habitat restoration Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gNgmt8TK