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We’re excited to announce our partnership with Santa Cruz World Surfing Reserve (WSR) through the dryrobe® Warmth Project.
Santa Cruz WSR is devoted to protecting the local surf ecosystems that stretch across approximately seven miles of coastline, partially including the beautiful Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Not only does Santa Cruz WSR work towards protecting the area, but it also works to encourage an inclusive and diverse surf community by helping more people access the water and experience the enjoyment of surfing.
What is the Santa Cruz World Surfing Reserve?
Globally recognised for its high quality of surf, the Santa Cruz WSR is home to at least 27 consistent surf breaks. The area offers a diverse selection of surf points, reefs, and beach breaks, including the world-class breaks of Steamer Lane and Pleasure Point.
However, it’s not free from threats and challenges.
How the Santa Cruz World Surfing Reserve is being protected
The World Surfing Reserves represent a global network of designated surfing reserves identified by the Save The Waves Coalition’s (STW) flagship programme. Other locations include Australian surfing hot spots, Noosa and the Gold Coast, the birthplace of Peru’s “caballito de totora” Huanchaco in Peru, and most recently North Devon in the UK.
The Santa Cruz WSR is managed by a Local Stewardship Council (LSC) and Save The Waves Coalition, a global nonprofit based in Santa Cruz County.
In April 2022, Save The Waves Coalition and the Local Stewardship Council (LSC) teamed up to reassess and address the current challenges facing the reserve 10 years into its designation as WSR.
The three key threat areas to Santa Cruz WSR that Save The Waves Coalition and the Local Stewardship are working on include:
- Access and Safety
- Water Quality and Trash
- Climate Adaptation and Response
How we’re supporting
We share Santa Cruz WSR’s commitment to preserving our outdoor playground.
We’re delighted to directly support the Stewardship Plan with financial support and contribute to the following objectives to help combat the main issues of the area:
1. Continuing to reduce water pollution at Cowells Beach and the San Lorenzo River mouth which high bacteria counts compromise. The monitoring of water quality in the Santa Cruz WSR requires sustained coordination.
2. Working with Black Surf Santa Cruz to minimise barriers to access for the BIPOC community.
3. Increasing beach cleanup results and carrying out more beach cleanup activations.
4. Organising the surf community around coastal adaptation and protection through a Climate Working Group.
5. Hosting quarterly meetings with the Local Stewardship Council to discuss progress on objectives.
This partnership forms part of the dryrobe® Warmth Project - our commitment to supporting charities and non-profit organisations that share our values of promoting well-being through outdoor activity and protecting the environment.
If you would like to support Save the Waves and the incredible work they do to protect our surf ecosystems across the world, please head to their website here to donate.
Follow Santa Cruz World Surfing Reserve
Facebook: Santa Cruz World Surfing Reserve
Instagram: @santacruzworldsurfingreserve
Follow Save the Waves
savethewaves.org
Facebook: Save the Waves
Instagram: @savethewavescoalition
X: @SaveTheWaves
YouTube: @SaveTheWaves
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