It’s great to see that the surf breaks on Noosa have been declared the 10th World Surfing Reserve by the non-profit organization Save the Waves Foundation. This recognizes the cultural and ecological importance of this surfing site, that it should be presevered and protected as a World Surf Reserve. Why do surfers around the world neeed to recognize the surfing region of Noosa and what is importance of being World Surfing Reserve. Please read on to find out.
More About Noosa
Noosa (or Shire of Noosa), a local city area in South East Queensland Australia has long been revered as surf city that attracts tourists local and international alike to it’s 4km long beautiful beaches and surfable waves. It has diverse ecosystem which boasts a plethora or various wildlife and ocean life around these areas. It also boasts a rich cultural heritage with few Aboriginal tribes living there long before the first settlers in 1700’s. There also a rich history of surfing in the community with dates to 1930’s. Most notable attractions are the Noosa Heads, Australia Zoo (where Steve Irwin worked), Noosa National Park, Sea Life Aquarium and not to forget its great waves which borders on Sunshine Coast. Noosa also has a few notable festivals such as The Noosa Film Festival, Noosa Triathlon and Noosa Festival of Surf. With an average of 2.1 million tourists per year it is important that the regions environment and beaches must be well-managed in order to uphold conservation efforts and ecological value.
World Surfing Reserve
World Surfing Reserve is a program established in 2009 by the Save The Wave Coalition together with its key partners NSR (National Surfing Reserves) Australia and ISA (International Surfing Association). By inaugarating an area a World Surfing Reserve, their aim is to preserve natural wave breaks of the area. They do this through recognizing the key cultural, economical, ecological and community aspects of the surfing area, thereby raising awareness and providing concerted effort in order to preserve them. Some of their campaigns are CleanCowell, LobosPorSiempre (Protect Punta De Lobos), and NatureTrumpsWalls. In order for the surfing area to be part of the WSR there must be applications filed and certain criterias met. The Save The Wave Coalition will committee to assess these criterias thereupon the area will be voted upon and nominated.
These are the criterias that have to be met in order to be named WSR:
- Quality & Consistency of Waves
- Environmental Diversity – if it biodiversity it widely recognized especially if is protected
- Culture & Surfing History – how their history is related and impacted by surfing
- Capacity & Local Community Support – there must be letters that the effort is backed by the local community
Current Placeholders
Currently Noosa and its beach breaks are the 10th site placed within WSR since the time of its inception in 2009. The other areas are:
Malibu Beach, California in USA
- Ericeira in Portugal
- Manly Beach, Australia
- Santa Cruz,also in Califorina, USA
- Huanchaco in Peru
- Bahia Todos Santos in Baja, Mexico
- Punta Delobos in Chile
- Gold Coast (Snapper Rocks), Australia
- Guarda Do Embau in Brazil
Their placement on this list shows how the community and culture has tied so closely to surfing. With each their own diversity of beach breaks and indigenous flora & fauna. It also shows how the local community knows the importance of preserving the environment as surfers and to make a concerted effort to make sure that these places are protected and preserved. Therefore these places would also make wonderful surf holiday destinations for surfers who enjoy the waves but know the ecological importance of protecting them as well. For more information you can also check out Save The Waves Coalition website over here.
Noosa, being in WSR
The impact is huge for Noosa as it would help in the conservation and preservation of wildlife in the area, thereby gaining support for protecting it for later generations. It would also provides credibility so that the community can also lobby and work with local and regional goverments for the improvement of these surf areas. It also provided overall international recognition in spreading awareness for the importance of protecting these great surfing places. I also expect to see some cool campaigns and programs tied to conservation efforts that might begin as being a part of the World Surfing Reserve.
As Surfers, We Care
Personally this is some great recognition for Noosa and its beach breaks as it has a huge influx of tourists every year. Therefore in order to maintain the beaches and to spread awareness a lot of action from the community and the government need to be generated to uphold the beauty that is Noosa, especially since high amount of tourists causes disturbance in the ecology and pollution if not well managed. As surfers, we also need to care about the environment. No surfer likes to surf in beaches littered with garbage or waves that is so murky because of the pollution, therefore we as also need to take action from time to time to look after the environment we surf in.
Feel free to read the source article here as well.
Here us also some helpful links:
- Noosa Surf Report for the Week
- Noosa Surf Lessons
- Noosa Accommodations or use AirBnB for some good deals
Let me know if you feel I can add more interesting stuff.
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The Daily Pumpernickel 