Huanchaco, Peru named World Surfing Reserve

World Surfing Reserves

Historic surfing region is the first to be approved in Latin America

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 3 October, 2012 : - - World Surfing Reserves and Save The Waves Coalition are pleased to announce that Huanchaco, Peru, has been formally approved as a World Surfing Reserve. Huanchaco becomes just the fifth site to receive such status, and the first in Latin America. The approval follows a national campaign by Peruvian surfers and ocean enthusiasts to have the historic coastal area and corresponding surf spots recognized by World Surfing Reserves.
 
Huanchaco is known as a destination in Peru for its consistent, clean surf and ancient pre-Colombian history as a seafaring town. The strong ocean culture of Huanchaco is also credited with being the birthplace of Peru’s “caballito de totora” – a small reed fishing boat and one of humanity’s earliest known surf crafts used to ply the waves for both work and pleasure.
 
Felipe Pomar, the 1965 World Surfing Champion, who continues to be a prominent ambassador and elder statesman for Peruvian surfing culture, was happy to hear the news. “I am excited and very pleased with this news regarding the Huanchaco World Surfing Reserve,” Mr. Pomar said. “Huanchaco has a wave-riding tradition that dates back thousands of years. I commend World Surfing Reserves and all Peruvians for moving to preserve and protect this unique and historical beach.”
 
In addition to its significant cultural heritage, the hardworking fishermen of Huanchaco and the strong local and national community support also add to its qualifications as a World Surfing Reserve. Diverse committees of local, national and international surf clubs and NGOs are working together with individual community leaders here to guarantee the successful implementation of a Huanchaco World Surfing Reserve.
 
Fernando Aguerre, a member of the World Surfing Reserves Vision Council and president of the International Surfing Association, stated: "Huanchaco is surfing’s equivalent to the great pyramids, an ancient cradle for surf culture. I am excited to watch Huanchaco continue to evolve its surfing heritage as a World Surfing Reserve."
 
Beyond its cultural and aesthetic significance, each World Surfing Reserve is a meeting of land and sea selected for the unique and salutary nature of its waves and natural setting. The dedication of each WSR seeks the protection of this coastal zone of waves and habitat from inappropriate development through international and local partnerships that build community around conservation, to improve and guide stewardship of the area.
 
Please stay tuned for more news and progress in the coming months about the dedication and implementation of Huanchaco as a World Surfing Reserve, which is anticipated to happen in 2013.
 
www.worldsurfingreserves.org

Source: World Surfing Reserves

Authors: Josh Berry / Dean LaTourrette

Tags: Huanchaco Peru, World Surfing Reserves, Save the Waves

Reserves: Surfersvillage