Last year, a significant stretch of Devon coastline received recognition and protection:
It’s very much about taking care of the local natural ecosystems:
The north Devon coast, which already has Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty protection, joins the likes of Australia’s Gold Coast and California’s Malibu and Santa Cruz as one of the 12 officially designated World Surfing Reserves.
The designation means that groups including UNESCO, local charities like Surfers Against Sewage, community groups, surf clubs, and businesses will work together to protect the 18.6 miles (30km) coastline.
“Our core focus is looking after the quality of the waves themselves and preserving the ecosystems that produce them,” said Adam Hall, a local surfer and co-founder of the Surfing Reserve in North Devon. “Surf spots need to be celebrated, recognized and protected in the same way we protect and recognize beautiful national parks like Exmoor.”
North Devon is officially a World Surfing Reserve – Lonely Planet
This weekend, there’s a festival on to celebrate:
The Spring Classic – Spring Classic
The Uni Surf Invitational Comes to the Spring Classic – Wavelength Surf Magazine – since 1981
Today’s Business Live gives us an interview with the founder:
When you think of the North Devon coastline, quaint villages, country lanes and pasties come to mind. Not a thriving surf village and music festival. Back for the second year running is the Spring Classic festival, run by Wavelength surf magazine. The 42-year-old surf publication has adapted over time to establish itself as an event leading, environmentally active business.
Last month BusinessLive visited Woolacombe for the inauguration of the North Devon Surfing Reserve, which alongside 11 other reserves serves a model for preserving wave breaks and their surrounding areas by recognising and protecting key environmental, cultural and economic attributes in coastal communities.
In terms of the environment and the preservation of the land for the local community and economy, the fee that Wavelength pays to the National Trust enables them not to farm the land. Mr Hayler explained: “They don’t need to plough these fields, they can leave them to remain wild, and the more we understand about the role in farming in terms of nature and positive solutions. How farming is such a crucial part of getting it right, it’s a very meaningful thing to say that this festival has a positive impact on the environment.”
It’s not just in Woolacombe that Wavelength is pushing an environmental agenda. But in Bristol too, the company will hold its third Blue Earth Summit in October. The event brings together business leaders from varying sectors to speak about how they can get change to happen.