Enabling North Devon to become UK's first World Surfing Reserve

The University of Plymouth's world-leading marine and coastal research has helped North Devon secure World Surfing Reserve status.

The designation, awarded by the Save the Waves Coalition, covers approximately 30km of coastline including iconic surfing locations such as Croyde, Saunton, Woolacombe and Lynmouth.

It recognises the high quality and diversity of surf breaks but also the unique natural beauty of North Devon's surroundings, its deep-rooted and historic surf culture, and its importance to the wider community.

It also aims to protect waves and the surfing experience from threats such as harmful coastal development, water quality and pollution, limited coastal access, the impacts of climate change, and a host of other factors that directly or indirectly impact the delicate ecosystems on which waves of quality depend.

North Devon is the first region in the UK to gain the status, joining globally-renowned surfing locations in Australia, California, Portugal and South America.

It is a well-established hub of surf culture, home to the Museum of British Surfing, the sport's national governing body Surfing England, and to brands such as Dry Robe and Tiki, all located in Braunton within easy access of the best beaches.

The bid to become a World Surfing Reserve has been led by a Local Stewardship Council including researchers from the University alongside organisations such as the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, environmental groups like Surfers Against Sewage, local community groups, surf clubs, beach businesses and landowners.

Within the bid process, academics from the University demonstrated the benefits of gaining status and the opportunities it could potentially unlock for businesses, residents and the local environment.

They also assessed the quality of the waves across North Devon's surf hotspots and the factors that made them some of the highest quality beach breaks in the UK.

Dr Kit Stokes, from the University's Coastal Processes Research Group, was part of the project team. He said:

"The whole team at the University of Plymouth are extremely proud to be part of the UK's first World Surfing Reserve. It represents a real opportunity to celebrate the unique waves and surfing environment in North Devon. Importantly, it will also enable us to introduce measures that will protect our precious surf breaks using scientific research to help us identify threats to wave and water quality and enhance the abundant natural capital of the region."

The award of World Surfing Reserve status is the latest milestone in the University's ongoing work with communities in North Devon.

Since 2016, Dr Rees and Dr Ashley have been involved in Defra's North Devon Marine Pioneer programme, which is central to the UK Government's 25-Year Environment Plan.

This work, funded through the SWEEP project, has seen them develop the UK's first marine Natural Capital Asset Register to demonstrate the potential flows and location of habitats that support a healthy climate and multiple ecosystem service benefits.

That work is now being expanded as part of a £1.37 million project, led by the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere, which aims to promote green growth and investment in the region.

In tandem with this work, the SWEEP project has also enabled the development of a new coastal overtopping forecast tool for the North Devon coastline.

The Operational Wave and Water Level (OWWL) model has been developed by the Coastal Processes Research Group as a more accurate way of forecasting wave overtopping hazards.

It takes data from the Met Office and refines it to provide a high-resolution inshore wave forecast, while also using detailed profiles of 183 beaches across the South West to predict potential flooding.