Todos Santos Bay, Mexico Named A World Surfing Reserve

Translation: Heido Sundstrom

After celebrating International Surfing Day, the party continues this June 21^st, 2014 at Playa San Miguel in a historic event in which the beach will officially be named a World Surfing Reserve, becoming the sixth protected beach in the world to discourage the illogical and predatory interests in beaches that have excellent waves for surfing. 

The majority of Mexico’s coastline battles with problems like the privatization of our public beaches, which limits or denies access to that which belongs to all Mexicans. Senators and Lawyers create and approve laws that allow foreigners to purchase land along the coasts of our country and the lack of studies on the environmental impact, coupled with corruption, create developments that threaten the ecosystem and cause loss and decay of excellent waves that attract tourists from over the world.

In addition to preserving our waves, the ecological environment is protected and paves the way for sustainable development. With this declaration, the Todos Santos Bay will be the second beach in Latin America to receive this distinction and support by international organizations, World Surfing Reserves and the Save the Waves Coalition. 

The island of Todos Santos and other important surf breaks in Ensenada like: Salsipuedes, San Miguel, Stacks and Tres Emes, will also be protected under the declaration and by meeting all the basic requirements (consistent, world-class waves and roots in the surfing culture), Ensenada will be considered the birthplace of surfing in Mexico.

Representatives of the Surf-Ens, Costa Salvaje and Pronatura associations, reported in the official declaration that the event will be attended by Gary Linden, surfboard shaper and founder of the Big Wave World Tour, the delegate of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT, for its initials in Spanish) and surfers, Carlos Hernandez and Paula Pijoan.

Fernando Marvan of the Surf-Ens group reported that, in celebration of this historic event, various cultural and recreational activities will be held.

ITINERARY

Event will take place Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 3:00 pm at Playa San Miguel in Ensenada, Baja California Norte.

You're invited to swim and paddle with us at 3:00 pm in a massive “paddle out”, plus participate in the creation of a collective mural and the building of rock sculptures.

At 4:00 pm, enjoy Native dances and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque made my local artists from the Faculty of Arts of the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California.

From 6:00 pm – 12:00 am there will be a Kraken restaurant party with live music, food, beer and wine of the area, scheduled reviews and a photo exhibition of local waves and coastlines.

Todos Santos Bay received approval as a World Surfing Reserve in January of 2013, for its wave quality and consistency, unique environmental characteristics, surf culture, history and the support of the community. Organizations in Ensenada like SURF-ENS, ONG Mexicana, Pronatura and COSTASALVAJE have been deeply involved in the planning and ongoing management of the Reserve.

The proposed state park will protect six hectares of critical watersheds in the San Miguel river basin, as well as the sand and rocks that create the San Miguel surf spot.

The World Surfing Reserves (WSR) proactively identifies, designates and preserves outstanding waves and surf zones and their surrounding environments worldwide. Visit the links below to learn more: