The Save the Waves Coalition is one of the more unique environmental non-profit organizations to spawn from the surfing world. By creating its “Global Surfing Reserve” program, they’ve introduced a system of protecting our coasts that enlists the support of local communities in backing long-term conservation efforts at iconic surf spots. They’ve even gone so far as to determine the economic value of a wave and surfing to local communities, not just voicing a “protect our oceans” message that falls on deaf ears but actually giving policymakers around these waves an incentive to take action as well. Where many environmental groups struggle to simply inform the public of threats against our planet, this devoted little group of people in Northern California consistently provides the world with actionable solutions.
They’re also hosts of the Save The Waves Film Festival, the world’s only international surf and environmental film festival. And while the film fest has become a stable platform for voices in the community to share their stories and messages, unless you’ve actually gone to a STWFF yourself and met some of their crew face to face, you’ve likely never seen much of the work they put into making it all happen: from organizing the film festival itself to speaking around the world as environmental advocates. They’ve built campaigns from #NatureTrumpsWalls to #SaveSanMiguel. They’ve accomplished a lot with minimal resources.
