NOAA's Reporter's Coral Reef Tip Sheet
May 26, 1997 - Week 21

Coral reefs are an important ingredient in making the perfect surfing wave. Although winds and tides both play a role in the creation of waves, coral reefs (or other shallow water formations) allow waves to break, thereby forming a surfable wave. In many cases when coral reefs are destroyed, so are waves. According to Dr. Pierce Flynn, Executive Director of The Surfrider Foundation, an organization dedicated to the preservation of the world’s oceans, beaches, and waves, "The best waves are often found breaking over thriving reefs. So, we need to preserve reefs in order to preserve the sport."

The relationship between surfers and coral reefs at Grajagan Bay, Indonesia, provides a good example of the efforts being made by the international surfing community to preserve coral reefs. Grajagan Bay (known as G-Land in the surfing community) is a surfer’s mecca in the unspoiled Banyuwangi Selatan Reserve in East Java, Indonesia. In addition to the natural beauty of the forests and coral reefs in this reserve, the most remarkable thing about G-Land is that surfers and Quiksilver (an Australian-based company which is the world's largest manufacturer of surf clothing) have been instrumental in increasing and maintaining the conservation value of this area.

Conservation value is created when conserving an area generates economic benefits. If the conservation value of an area, such as G-Land, is greater than the value of developing the area, then it makes economic sense to conserve that area. This is where Quiksilver and the surfers of G-Land come in, bringing with them economic incentives to preserve G-Land, and alternative sources of income for members of the local population who otherwise would not gain any significant economic benefit from the nature reserve in their backyard.

The coral reefs which line much of Indonesia’s 80,000 kilometers of coast provide some of the best surfing in the world. G-Land is the best of the best, drawing surfers from around the globe to surf for weeks at a time. While visiting G-Land, these surfers need food and lodging. So, two rustic surf camps, designed and operated to have no significant environmental impact, were built on the edge of the nature reserve. In order to forestall the full-blown tourist resort development which often results in damaged coral reefs and subsequent wave destruction, Quiksilver has convinced the Indonesian Government and local businesses that it is the natural beauty of G-Land, and the low-key, low-impact surf camps which keep the surfers, and thus the economic benefits, flowing into the area. So far, the interests of surfers and members of the local communities near Grajagan Bay have converged in a win-win situation which ensures the preservation of reefs and waves in G-Land.

Upcoming Event

Quicksilver Pro Surfing Contest
May 29 - June 8, Grajagan Bay, Indonesia

The first Quiksilver Pro was held at G-Land in 1995. The contest was such a success that this year will see the third consecutive Quiksilver Pro at G-Land, spotlighting again the wave of the future in which communities, government, and business - sparked by the interests of sustainable reef users such as surfers - combine to form an effective force for conserving coral reefs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE REEF PLEASE CONTACT:

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SURFING, CORAL REEFS, OR THE QUICKSILVER PRO PLEASE CONTACT: