Gold Coast: World Surf Reserve

By Rory Switzer.

It’s official. The Gold Coast has been named the 8^th world surfing reserve! After nearly two years to process the application, the Goldy now joins the ranks with Malibu (California), Ericeira (Portugal), Manly Beach (Australia), Santa Cruz (California), Huanchaco (Peru), Bahia Todos Santos (Mexico) and Punta de Lobos (Chile)… And we’re pretty chuffed to be honest.

The Goldy was one of three applicants in 2015, beating out our northern neighbours Noosa, and Brazil’s Guarda do Embao… sorry guys.

There are many criteria that come into play when deciding to deem a location as a world surf reserve. Applicants need to evaluate the quality and consistency of the waves, environmental characteristics, culture and surf history, capacity and local support for official recognition before they are even considered for approval. Although each of the 3 applicants were fantastic contenders, the Gold Coast’s combination of surf culture, history and perfect point breaks were the deciding factor in winning approval for 2016. And just to rub sea salt in the wound, the 16km strip from Burleigh point to Snapper Rocks has produced more world champions than anywhere in the world, including three time wold champ (and shark puncher) Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Mark Occhilupo (aka Occy), and six times world champion Stephanie Gilmore. Yeeeeeeeeeeeew!

Some of you may be saying, Woopty doo, but what does it all mean Basil? World Surfing Reserves, which is a program of Save The Waves, proactively identifies, designates and preserves outstanding waves, surf zones and surrounding environments around the world. The program serves as a global model for preserving surf breaks and their surrounding areas by recognizing and protecting the key environmental, cultural, economic and community attributes of surfing areas.

So step aside Bondi, there’s a new Australian surf reserve in town and we’re not afraid to brag about it.

#ShakaBra