SAVE THE WAVES COALITION PROTECTING OUR COASTAL HERITAGE

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VALUABLE NATURAL RESOURCES

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SAVE THE WAVES COALITION PROTECTING OUR COASTAL HERITAGE

E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y

In this world of rapid development, surf spots and surrounding coastal resources worldwide are constantly under threat by reckless or ill-conceived industrial de-velopments, such as marinas, seawalls and other massive commercial and residential projects.

Rarely do local policy makers consider the effect these developments have on surfing and coastal resources, nor what those communities will lose should these precious natural resources be destroyed forever.

Years into the future, the consensus will be that surf spots and their surrounding coastal environments are incredible natural resources that provide ongoing environmental, economic, social, and cultural benefits to individuals and communities worldwide.

For this reason, Save The Waves exists as a global safety net to protect and pre-serve the surfing coastline.

Save The Waves needs your support to keep these precious community re-sources alive for everyone’s benefit and for future generations to come.

What is the value of waves? How do the hundreds of millions of people living on coastlines worldwide benefit from surf spots?

Natural resource management is a discipline in the management of natu-ral resources such as land, water, soil, plants and animals, with a particular focus on how management affects the quality of life for both present and future generations.

Photo: Southwest Coast of Madeira, Portugal (Seawall at Jardim do Mar under construction). Will Henry.

T H E VA L U E O F WAV E S

E N V I R O N M E N TA L

Surf spots are often located in biodiver-sity hotspots, where a richness and diversity of plant and animal life creates vibrant ecosystems. The unique geo- logic features that form quality breaks such as wetlands, reefs, river mouths, points, underwater canyons, rock shelves and more are often the same features providing unique environments and rich currents for healthy ecosystems.

The interconnectedness of the natural world constitutes that a change to one aspect, namely surf spots, will create unforeseen changes to other aspects. The consequence is the upsetting of the delicate balance that provides us with natural resources we so cherish: clean water, clean beaches and healthy fish, bird, dolphin, and whale and pinniped populations (seals and sea lions).

“Natural surf breaks should be treated as world heritage sites, and should never be destroyed no

matter what the reason.”

~ Yvon Chouinard, Founder, Patagonia, Inc.

“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached

to the rest of the world.”

~ John Muir, Naturalist

Interfere with the waves and you might not just be depriving a few people from some leisure activity; you might also be triggering a series of unintended consequences. Waves are part of the delicate balance of Nature, just like the forests, the animals and the air we breathe. Therefore, there is a limit to the amount we can interfere with the waves before the natural systems they are a part of start to bite back at us.

In their natural state coastal resources such as surf breaks can provide coastal communities with the single most valuable resource for environmental, economic, social, and cultural well-being.

E C O N O M I C

Whole economies are built around specific coastal resources whether they are productive fishing grounds, travel destinations or impressive surf spots.

Certain places in the world have capitalized on their surfing resources. Destinations like Puerto Escondido in Mexico, Bali, the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia, and the Hawaiian Islands in the US, have all experienced huge boosts in tourism revenue by catering to the surfing crowd.

In Costa Rica, the tourism board esti-mates annual surfing related tour- ism revenue to be over $200 million dollars (US) which equates to over $50 in benefits for each resident of Costa Rica.[1]

The small town of Half Moon Bay, California, which previously had little to offer to attract tourists from abroad, was suddenly thrust into international stardom with the discovery of Mavericks, one of the world’s premiere big-wave surfing locations. Now, the annual surf contest held there has become the single-most important event to their local economy.

Additionally, Save The Waves’ Surfo- nomics study on Mavericks estimates the break—aside from the annual con-test—has an economic value to visitors of nearly $24 million per year.

“The wave (at Pavones, Costa Rica) is the foundation of our economy and the quality of it is deeply linked with socio-economic opportunities of the locals.”

~ Andy Bystrom, Pretoma, a Costa Rican NGO

[1] Source: Costa Rica Government Tourism Board

Above Photo: Mavericks, Half Moon Bay, California. Will Henry. (See related info on Mavericks Surfonomics Study at www.savethewaves.org/surfonomics)

S O C I A L & C U LT U R A L

Quality surf breaks and their surround-ing environments can be massive contributors to each individual’s quality of life, providing a sense of identity, connection with the environment, and achievement of personal goals.

Studies show [2] the following bene- fits from surfing and the coastal environment:

. Personal Fulfillment: Participation in recreational activities such as surfing, beach-going, etc can result in stress reduction, improved self-esteem, enhanced academics, personal devel- opment, ease of social integration and a feeling of connectedness to one’s community. Surf spots offer an acces-sible recreational activity for individuals to gain an emotional release from other negative experiences of everyday life. This is not to say that problems are completely forgotten, but the activities available around surf spots provide important counterpoints to the experi-ences of everyday life.

[2] Source: Australian Sports Commission, Australian Government (www.ausport.gov.au/participating/schools_and_juniors/juniors/issues/social_benefits)

Photo Right: Young Surfer, Paul Do Mar, Madeira, Portugal. Will Henry

T H E VA L U E O F WAV E S

“Not to sound too deep or weird, but I think that the times when you

really appreciate surfing are the times you’re really sort of becoming

one with nature. Surfing’s as raw of a sport as it gets.”

~ Kelly Slater, World Champion Surfer

. Youth Development: Youth in particu-lar stand to benefit greatly from a wide range of social benefits of recreational activities such as surfing. Studies by the Australian Institute of Criminology show that youth crime can be prevent-ed and the likelihood of re-offending to be reduced by involving them in sport—simply by reducing boredom and decreasing the amount of unsuper-vised leisure time. Surf breaks provide this important and accessible recre-ational activity

. Quality of Life: The shared experienc-es at a surf break and in the surround- ing environment can unify and integrate different networks and social classes. Experiences of athletic excellence, physical activity recreation and healthy leisure are a powerful medium for social cohesion, bonding multiple gen-erations, social classes and visitors alike to form a strong community identity. Studies show this unique identity is a key contributor to overall quality of life.

“The joy of surfing is so many things combined, from the physical exertion of it, to the challenge of it, to the mental side of the sport.” ~ Kelly Slater, World Champion Surfer

T H R E AT S

Some of the world’s best surfing waves have vanished forever, buried by large coastal developments or ruined by pollution. Killer Dana (California), Petacalco (Mexico), La Barre (France), all were among the world’s best, and yet they were buried without much of a fight. The culprit is often industrial development in the form of marinas or jetties, which either bury a spot or vastly alter the natural sand flow patterns or create industrial pollution so severe the water is too polluted to surf, let alone support fishing or tourism industries.

In many cases all that was needed to save these spots was a coastal impact study to demonstrate the ecological consequences to policy-makers of pure- ly industrial projects. Had proper studies been done, these surf spots might still exist and the communities around them could be reaping the benefits of having a unique and precious natural resource. Instead, these spots are gone forever, unable to be recreated.

With the rapid pace of globalization and industrial development there are many other waves and coastal regions in the world that are facing a similar fate right now. Left unchecked all the world’s surf spots will likely experience a similar threat that puts their very existence in question.

L O S T J E W E L

The island of Madeira was once considered one of the premiere surfing destinations in the Atlantic, but did not develop its reputation soon enough. The government, in planning coastal projects, damaged two waves and destroyed one, apparently unaware of their potential as tourism resources.

The wave in Jardim do Mar, once known by Surfer Magazine as “the world’s best (and perhaps only) big wave point break,” was damaged by a seawall that easily could have been designed to spare the wave any harm. The area is now experiencing a sharp decline in tourism revenue.

In many cases such as with Madeira, solutions can be had that serve both the coastal resource, as well as business interests.

T H E VA L U E O F WAV E S

Top Left Photo: Ponta Delgada Seawall, Madeira, Portugal (built over existing left-hand point break). Will Henry. Bottom Left Photo: Boat Waste Discharge. Will Henry.

“I used to surf Stanley’s in the ‘60s. A great wave and very challenging!

As I remember we were not told much about the Highway depart-ments plans for this area. I didn’t consider that they would put an off ramp that far into the ocean!

[The next time I went there] There was no there, there—I feel we were taken advantage of by the State. Other areas could have been used just up from the Stanley’s break. We would have loved to have had an organization like [Save The Waves Coalition] so we could have had more information about their plans for this area. Also this would have given us some input into their final decision for Stanley’s.

We weren’t organized then! With-out that, we didn’t generate any publicity about the situation at Stanley’s. We need to know about coastal projects and have input into their implementation.”

~ Thomas Rowe, Surfer and Stanley’s Devotee

Communities worldwide have lost surfing waves forever, buried by large coastal developments or ruined by pollution.

W H AT I S N E E D E D

1) Greater public knowledge of the value of waves and other coastal resources.

2) More coastal impact studies to highlight the impact of specific indus-trial developments on nearby waves.

3) The voices of local communities to be heard in the decision-making process.

Save The Waves pursues integrated strategies to ensure the impact of industrial developments on surf spots and on their corresponding communi-ties is taken into account when decisions are made.

T H E VA L U E O F WAV E S

“In the 1960s... I think many surfers were like me dimly aware that

we should do something but not sure what or how. We fought to save a

beautiful surf break on the West Side of Oahu... but we were too few and the Army Corp of Engineers had its way. Before we knew it (two other

surf spots) were buried by the state.

[Now], we are a force to be reckoned with if we choose to be. Let’s rally

around causes that need our support and start changing things.”

~ Gerry Lopez, Global Surf Ambassador

“The main threat with the Canary

Islands is the destruction of waves by the construction of ports or artificial beaches. We live from tourism [and]

are particularly sensitive to the potential negative impacts of indus- trial actions on the coast. It is good to have [Save The Waves] involved

in protecting our coastline from attacks. Outside help is necessary.“

~ Angel Lobo, Canaries Surf Federation

S T R AT E G Y

Through Save The Waves’ programs communities around the world are equipped to:

1) Recognize the value Save The Waves helps communities understand the value of coastal re- sources and raise awareness amongst local policy-makers to make more informed decisions.

2) Reduce threats Through worldwide education programs and media campaigns, we raise aware-ness of the value of coastal resources and surf spots in particular to help pre-vent threats before they ever become a reality.

3) Organize In the face of threats we help local communities organize, gather resources and advocate to protect, preserve and steward their precious resources.

Above Left Photo: Gerry Lopez. Tim Davis. Right Photo: Chilean Point Break. Will Henry.

Save The Waves has a proactive, global plan to help local communities protect and steward their coastal resources.

“Over time threats will come, one by one, to all of the world’s great surf

spots, and over time, again and again, they will be compromised. And in

the end, the enshrinements we make now and in future years may be the

deciding factor that saves a beach or a surf spot or a park... or just a

jewel of the natural world.”

~ Drew Kampion, Surf Historian

“I’m honored to work with World

Surfing Reserves to hopefully be a small part of that difference in

protecting the tradition and history around the surfing world’s most

symbolic and important beaches.”

~ Kelly Slater, World Champion Surfer

S AV E T H E WAV E S P R O G R A M S & O B J E C T I V E S F O R 2 0 1 0 – 2 0 11

WORLD SURF ING RESERVES

. Description: A global model for pro- actively preserving wave breaks and their surrounding areas by recognizing the positive environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits of waves.

. Objectives: Implement the very first World Surfing Reserves in Hawaii, California and Australia. Complete the second year of nominations and create a pipeline of enshrinements for beyond 2011. Significantly raise the global aware-ness of the program through partner- ships and media campaigns.

. Results: Raise value of waves to local stakeholders (Educate). Reduce threats. Alert developers these are areas com- munities will fight for. Empower local advocates with global recognition of their resource. Grow Activism.

DOCUMENTARY F ILMS

. Description: Utilize film and television media to educate the general public about the value of surfing coastlines.

. Objectives: Produce the 2nd Annual Save The Waves Film Festival (Fall 2010), showcasing coastal environmental films and inspiring coastal activism. . Results: Raise value of waves to local stake-holders (Educate). Empower local advocates to protect and preserve.Reduce threats.

SURFONOMICS STUDIES

. Description: Increase awareness of the value of surfing areas by providing hard data that illustrates the high socio-economic value of a surf spot.

. Objectives: Collaborate to produce two new Surfonomics studies on surfing coastlines in Chile and Costa Rica.

. Results: Raise value of waves to local stake-holders (Educate). Empower local advocates to protect and preserve. Reduce threats.

REGIONAL PROGRAMS

. Description: T hrough regional pro- grams in Chile, Northern California and soon-to-be Peru, local advocacy organ- izations are established as the platform for the voice of the community to be heard.

. Objectives:

Chile—Continue our successful Chile program through our Waterkeeper part-nership, fighting against industrial pollution and educating coastal communi-ties on environmental rights and laws.

Northern California—Continue and expand regional campaigns to protect against coastal armoring at South Ocean Beach, SF, and Surfer’s Beach in Half Moon Bay, and implement environ- mentally sensible long-term solutions.

Peru—Replicate our legal education strategy from neighboring Chile into Peru, and educate coastal communities in Peru on environmental laws and indivi- dual rights.

. Results: Raise value of waves to local stake-holders (Educate). Empower local advocates to protect and preserve. Reduce threats.

Above Left Photo: Drew Kampion. Elliott Menashe. Top Right Photo: Rio Itata Protest, Constitution, Chile. Geoff Ragatz. Bottom Right Photo: Chilean Fishermen. Will Henry.

International Surf Spot Protection

. Save Sloat!—Successfully lobbied city of San Francisco to minimize emergen-cy plans to armor the beach at South Sloat, and to initiate long-term planning for an environmental solution. (2010)

. Costa Rica—Helped save the Puerto Viejo area from a marina development with media and letter writing cam-paigns; project has been indefinitely

“archived.” (2008)

. Sweden—Helped influence the govern-ment to vote down plans for a proposed marina which would have destroyed the best point break in Sweden, at Molle. (2008)

. Nicaragua—Helped influence develop-ers to scrap plans to alter a rivermouth at Playa Santana, which could have destroyed the break. (2007)

. Canary Islands—Helped save La Enra-mada and educated the government on avoiding future damage to surfing coastline. (2007)

. British Virgin Islands—Prevented illegal sea wall in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola. (2006)

. Peru—Convinced Developers to spare La Herradura from proposed marina, Peru. (2005)

. Madeira—Helped save Lugar de Baixo from destruction, helped alter plans at Jardim do Mar to prevent total des- truction of wave. Educated entire island on the value of surfing coastline. (2001–2003)

World Surfing Reserves

. Launched the world’s first global surf-ing reserve program in 2009, to proactively protect iconic wave breaks and their surrounding environments.

. Accepted and evaluated 126 submis-sions for potential sites from 34 coun- tries around the world, and prioritized the very first World Surfing Reserve enshrinements for 2010.

Chile Program

. Helped indefinitely postpone coal plant through international pressure led by STW.

. Established permanent Waterkeeper program in Chile, to create a lasting im-pact on water pollution issues in Chile, 2008.

. Conducted series of legal workshops throughout the central coast, educating thousands of coastal citizens.

. Altered plans to build sewage pipeline in the surf zone in Pichilemu, Chile’s surf city.

Surfonomics

. Produced an innovative study with Stanford University on economic value of Mavericks in Half Moon Bay, which estimates an economic value to visitors to the famous break of nearly $24 million per year. (2009)

. Produced an economic study on value of the surfing wave in Mundaka, Spain, which estimates a positive economic impact of up to $4.5 million per year to the local economy— in a town of ap-proximately 1,900 people. (2008)

Documentary Film

. All Points South (2009)—Educated on pulp mill pollution issues facing coastal Chile.

. Keeping Coast (2009)—Profiled the story of Chile’s first Waterkeeper Alliance.

. Pulp, Poo & Perfection (2007)—Edu-cated international audiences on industrial pollution issues in coastal Chile.

. Lost Jewel (2006)—Educated interna-tional audiences on environmental issues in Madeira and threats to surfing coastline worldwide.

A P P E N D I X

“Save The Waves has played an important role throughout the

campaign against tuna farming (at Pavones, Costa Rica). The

organization is responsible for notifying the international

community of surfers, which represents a powerful entity.

Through this assistance, the gov- ernment has received hundreds

of letters against the project written by surfers worldwide.”

~ Andy Bystrom, Pretoma, a Costa Rican NGO

O R G A N I Z AT I O N AC C O M P L I S H M E N T S ( H I G H L I G H T S )

S AV E T H E WAV E S P E O P L E

A M B A S S A D O R S

Greg Long

Holly Beck

Hans Hagen

Ramon Navarro

Tiago Pires

Kyle Thierman

A D V I S O R Y B O A R D

Yvon Chouinard

Nell Newman

Keith Malloy

Mark Massara

Kevin Hillyer

Wallace J. Nichols, PhD

Sarah Gerhardt

Evan Slater

Dr. Tony Butt

Dr. Shaw Mead

Dr. Kerry Black

Tim Bluhm

Kevin Wasserman

Gregory A. Jones

Alex Dick-Read

Terry Gibson

Lesley Ewing

João Valente

Nelio de Sousa

Peter Mull

Jay Drake

Steve Winterhalter

Ben Hewlett

“I founded Save The Waves out of a deep passion for the ocean, as well as a desire to protect our priceless coastal treasures. In many parts of the world I had witnessed many forms of senseless destruction of our coastal environment, and I wanted to motivate and empower people to protect it.”

~ Will Henry, STW Founder

S TA F F

Dean LaTourrette Executive Director

Josh Berry Environmental Director

João De Macedo Program Manager

Lindsey Davis Office Manager and Outreach Coordinator

B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S

Will Henry Founder

Ted Witt Board President

Greg Benoit Board Treasurer

Ryan Seelbach Board Secretary

Pete Reich

Chad Nelsen

Jeff Mendelsohn

Chris Evans

Fernando Aguerre

O R G A N I Z AT I O N S U P P O R T E R S (Partial List)

Patagonia, Inc.

Quiksilver Foundation

Clif Bar, Inc.

SIMA Environmental Fund

Marisla Foundation

The Pauley Foundation

Volcom, Inc.

Hurley

Rob Machado Foundation

Make Yourself Foundation

Morgan Family Foundation

S T W C O A L I T I O N M E M B E R S

Surfrider Foundation

Wildcoast

Ocean Revolution

Pro Peninsula

Proplaya

Surfers’ Environmental Alliance

Save Our Shores

Groundswell Society

Surfbreak Protection Society

Surfers Against Sewage

FIMA (Fiscalia del Medio Ambiente)

Waterkeeper Alliance

*Save The Waves is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, and adheres strictly to United States law governing such entities. The 990 tax forms filed by STW on an annual basis are public and can be downloaded from the STW website at any time. (http://www.savethewaves.org/financial)

S AV E T H E WAV E S 2 0 0 9 F I N A N C I A L R E P O R T ( J A N U A R Y T H R O U G H D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 9 )

2 0 0 9 R E V E N U E *

Contributions Income 27,018

Fundraising Events 67,613

Grants 157,060

Membership Dues 2,881

Merchandise Sales 1,095

Co-Branded Products 33,165

Interest & Other Income 16

Total Income 288,848

2 0 0 9 E X P E N S E S *

World Surfing Reserves 66,670

Surfonomics 51,568

Chile Program 43,595

Documentary Film 21,667

Intl. Surf Spot Protection 45,429

Surf Ambassadors 6,997

Admin., Fundraising & Other 25,452

Total Expense 261,378

2 0 0 9 N E T I N C O M E *

Net Income 27,470

P R O G R A M S (90%)

A D M I N I S T R AT I O N & F U N D R A I S I N G

(10%)

2 0 0 9 R E V E N U E *

Contributions Income 27,018

Fundraising Events 67,613

Grants 157,060

Membership Dues 2,881

Merchandise Sales 1,095

Co-Branded Products 33,165

Interest & Other Income 16

Total Income 288,848

2 0 0 9 E X P E N S E S *

World Surfing Reserves 66,670

Surfonomics 51,568

Chile Program 43,595

Documentary Film 21,667

Intl. Surf Spot Protection 45,429

Surf Ambassadors 6,997

Admin., Fundraising & Other 25,452

Total Expense 261,378

2 0 0 9 N E T I N C O M E *

Net Income 27,470

CULTURAL IDENTITY

CHERISH

VALUABLE NATURAL RESOURCES

PROTECT EDUCATE & ORGANIZE

ENJOY REDUCE THREATS EMPOWER COLLABORATE

S AV E T H E W AV E S C OA L I T I O N PO Box 183, 3500 Highway One, Davenport, California 95017

Phone/Fax: 831.426.6169