Santa Cruz World Surfing Reserve 2.97

Quality and Consistency:

At least 23 consistent surf breaks are sited along this coast, including the world-class breaks of Steamer Lane and Pleasure Point. Most are reef or beach breaks with a few outstanding point breaks, and almost all naturally break right within this zone. Winter is always the best time for surfing consistent waves, and the breaks are rated from “expert” to “beginner,” so surfers of all ages and levels can find a suitable wave in the area.

Surf Culture and History:

Santa Cruz proudly claims to be the location of the very first board surfing ever in North America, at the “Rivermouth” break in 1885, as documented in The Santa Cruz Surf. When three visiting Hawaiian princes had surfboards milled out of local redwood and demonstrated board wave riding for the first time, Santa Cruz was immediately established forever as the birthplace of surfing on the continent. The Santa Cruz Surf Club formed in 1936 and helped solidify a strong surf culture that continues today as a key part of the area’s identity, with many local residents embracing surfing as a central part of their lifestyle.

Environmental Characteristics and Issues:

Santa Cruz is a marine protected area located within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The beaches in Santa Cruz are home to many Sea Otters, Seals, Sea Lions and varieties of sea birds, along with the occasional migratory whale and/or Great White Shark. The World Surfing Reserve seeks to address three core threats to the classic coastline; marine debris, water quality, and sealevel rise. The greatest focus has been to address the chronic water quality concerns at Cowell’s Beach – one of the best beginner waves in California. The World Surfing Reserve has convened a group of local stakeholders and experts to collaboratively address the issue together and achieve measurable water quality improvements.