Save the Waves Coalition is proud to announce that Punta Borinquen, Puerto Rico has been chosen as the next World Surfing Reserve (WSR). WSR, a program from California-based Save The Waves Coalition, proactively identifies, designates and preserves outstanding waves around the world. The program serves as a global model for preserving wave breaks and their surrounding areas by recognizing and protecting the key environmental, cultural, economic, and community attributes of surfing areas.
Punta Borinquen World Surfing Reserve will consist of eight kilometers of coastline between Crash Boat and Surfers/Survival Beach. These surf breaks offer several world-class waves.
Olita, a Puerto Rican non-profit that works to help families break the poverty cycle, recruited and organized a team of experts in the fields of each selection criterion for the WSR. This interdisciplinary team formed the Local Stewardship Council (LSC) that consisted of professors, students, local entities, NGO’s and local veterans of the surf and outdoor industries.
The LSC’s job was to create the most complete and profound application for the WSR.
“Every year we receive outstanding proposals that make our decision very hard,” said Nik Strong-Cvetich, Save The Waves Executive Director. “Given the high capacity, expertise, and commitment that the Local Stewardship Council of Punto Borinquen presented in their application and given their incredible support in spite of Hurricane Maria, they still managed to unite. This year’s decision in favor of Punta Borinquen was almost unanimous.”
The Puerto Rican House of Representatives recently recognized, celebrated and endorsed the Punta Borinquen World Surfing Reserve project.
Punta Borinquen will be dedicated as the 11th World Surfing Reserve in the spring of 2019 where Save The Waves will work with the LSC on long-term conservation through outreach and planning. LSC is open to adding new community members through the planning process. Patagonia ambassador and local environmental activist Otto Flores, will become the Punta Borinquen WSR ambassador.
The Punta Borinquen Surfing Reserve received the endorsements and support of:
Para La Naturaleza
Surfrider Foundation, Rincón Chapter
Sierra Club Puerto Rico
Oficina Programa de Manejo de la Zona Costanera
Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Planificación
The Marine Sciences Student Association of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus
The Center for Applied Science and Ocean Engineering of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus Puerto Rico Sea Grant College Program
Surf and Nature Alliance
Founded in 2003, Save The Waves is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the coastal environment with a focus on the surf zone. For more information please visit www.savethewaves.org
Facebook/Twitter: @SaveTheWaves Instagram: @savethewavescoalition
