CONCLUSION

This assignment has made me realize what capacity issues is a universal issue both in and out of the water.  Efforts have been made to reduce impact through capacity restrictions and construction of artificial reefs to support demands of a break.  As seen in my reflection on my trip to Mexico I have become more aware of our impacts as tourists, the environmental issues that stand in different locations and how different cultures react to waste in very different ways.  I am planning on staying involved in surf tourism in some way throughout my future and will continue to look out for environmental issues and how they are treated.

ARTIFICIAL REEFS, ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY & SURF TOURIST BEHAVOURIAL SEGMENT

Artificial reefs used to sustain environment 

This journal article examines the sustainability of the surf industry and the use of artificial surfing reefs (ASR).  The article argues the multi-purpose functions of these ASRs as both providing shore line management (maintaining recreational beaches) as well as surf amenity benefits (enhancing surf quality).  The authors have used Brevard County, Florida as their test area.  The local and non-local surfer demographics for the county have been broken down, as well as their surf travel patterns, popular destinations and durations of  their travel. Further support the argument that though there are uncertainties about the ASRs performance (due to minimal success or disappointment with reefs which have previously been instated) are beneficial to sustainability of surf destinations and shoreline management. 

research pertaining to the capacity of a break has also been included to

Chambliss, K., Lindo, C., Slotkin, M. H., & Vamosi, A. R. (2009). Surf tourism, artificial surfing reefs, and environmental sustainability. Sustainability , 207-218.

Surf tourist Behavour

The purpose of this paper is found right in the title, to investigate surf tourists behavioural perspective, to gain insight on travel patterns.  Surfers are referred to as, “a unique tribe of nomads who have wandered this planet in search of rideable waves” and even, “searching for the perfect wave”. They have defined the surf industry in a way that includes individuals who are active participants and those who observe the sport, as included is travel , surf-branded clothing and manufacturing of surfboards.  This is a US$10 billion per annum industry made up of some 10 million surfers.  There are five groups of surfers: the price-conscious safety seeker, the luxury surfer and the price conscious adventurers, the ambivalent and the radical adventures. The main issue facing the industry is capacity management.  Crowd frustrations create a willing to travel in search not only of the perfect wave, but also the uncrowded wave.  Trends in destination and the length of stay have been associated with the destination throughout different surf groups, experience levels, and age brackets. All market segments prefer a wave size of four to six feet high.  It is not common for surfers to travel alone, though they company many not be a surfer. 

Dolnicar, S., & Flucker, M. (2003). Behavioral market segments among surf tourists- investigating past destination chioce. The journal od sport tourism , 1-12.

MENTAWAIS ISLAND CAPACITY & ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

This article explores the Indo-Pacific Islands, highlighting Mentawais Island, as a testbed to demonstrate the importance of capacity management and environmental management systems.  This has been done enforcing operating permits to prevent industry impacts for surf destinations.  These impacts include crowding, commercial competitive conflicts within the industry, environmental changes, cultural changes and economic affects.  It has been recognized that different forms of tourist activity have different impacts and there for appropriate planning, design, technology and operational management must be created for them.  For surf tourism controlling over-crowding is a major concern, not only to control There are luxury surf travelers who tend to book tours (commercial tourists) and there are cash-poor surfers (independent travelers) who are willing to take higher risks and will figure it out on their own.  Though they are rare to find, there are surf resort for luxury travelers as well and over 100 surf camps worldwide.  These companies have exclusive access to breaks and have the advantage of marketing themselves as unspoiled and uncrowned locations.   Surf tourism attracts relatively high paying tourists to areas that have little to no fixed infrastructure.  The finances that the surf tourism industry creates can provide cash flow to fund tourism infrastructure to support the development of a broader nature, adventure and cultural tourism sector in less these islands.

impacts but for the perceived value and satisfaction of the surf tourist. 

 

Buckley, R. (2002). Surf tourism and sustainable development in Indo-Pacific Islands. ll. Reacreational capacity management and case study. Journal of sustainable tourism , 425-442

SURFRIDER FOUNDATION ISSUES STATEMENT ON MARINE LIFE PROTECTION ACT

“After several years of hard work and negotiations, the California Fish & Game Commission approved a network of 36 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Southern California – part of a statewide process required by the 1999 Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA). The MLPA’s goals are to: ‘set aside’ area of the ocean to increase fish populations, enhance marine habitat, and improve recreational and educational opportunities.”  The Surfrider Foundation has been working with a diverse group of stakeholders, including: commercial and recreational fishermen, divers, surfers, kayak fishermen, environmental activists and beach goers to help provide balanced input during the MLPA process.

 An Integrated Preferred Alternative (IPA) map has under environmental review and the “Foundation submitted comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report.”

Herry, A. (2010, 12 17). Press releases. Retrieved 02 20, 2011, from Surfriders Foundation: http://www.surfrider.org/press_releases.aspx?PR_Id=317

TAKING IT TO MEXICO, SELF EXPLORATION OF SURF TOURISM



Mount Washington

For this blog update I took the imitative to get completely immersed in my research and travelled to Playa Nexpa, Mexico to have a firsthand experience with Surf Tourism.  The transport needed to arrive in the destination was only a small portion of the experience encountered during this adventure.  My first leg of the trip was traveling by bus from Kamloops from Vancouver.  I sky trained it into the city stopping by my brothers place in Vancouver to say and hi and pick up my surfboard and heading out the airport by cab.  The first flight was to LA, where I would meet the UVIC Surf Club (5 students) and jump on another flight to Ixtapu/ Zaihuatanejo. The owner of our accommodation met us with two cars to transport us the final two hours to the beach.

The city was congested with cars, the streets were not like our conventional modern city in North America but we were happy not to see any McDonalds.

The development on this beach was placed between a rock formation and a river mouth.  There were about 10 cabanas along the beach and 15-20 homes and cabanas on the dirt road leading to the beach, one operational restaurant run by a local Mexican family and three little convenient stores. 

Over the next six days I would take part in the activities of the average surf tourist.  These activities included surfing, resting in a hammock, eating local food, working on my Spanish and mingling with the locals and other surf tourists.  I met surfers from Israel, Switzerland, Germany, France, United States (east and west coast), other Canadians, Australians and people from other locations of Mexico.  The difference between their observations of the environment and mine are, that I have been studying the impacts of tourism on a economically, politically, social and environmental level and would taking note of the environmental impacts and events relating to recent change in the environment.

There were no signs posted or garbage cans around but surprisingly the non organic garbage on the beach was minimal.  The visible recycling system can be split into headings: Organic ocean waste, Organic plant waste and glass bottles.   This area is rich in marine life, meaning great finishing.  Basically any scraps, bones and shells from fish and shrimp were thrown onto the shoreline to be returned to the ocean for recycling.  Fruit peels and vegetable scraps were placed around the base of trees and plants, acting as fertilization for the plant.  Beverages purchased in glass bottles (cerveza) had to be returned to the location they were purchased.  The business would then return the bottles to collect the bottle deposit.  Any additional food scraps were cleaned up or fed by the domestic animals that were passed out in the sand just outside of the restaurant 90% of the time.  

As I stated above the marine life in this area is rich.  Hatched turtle and seabird eggs can be found along the beach, as well as sea turtle carcases. The reef formation along the shoreline was thriving with barnacles and sea urchins. Bio luminescent sawn bright in the waves at night.  We spotted two hump back whales swimming through their late migration as well as a ray came up for a visit along side of me in the water.  Little fish we nicknamed bird fish, because they would jump out of the water waving their fins like wings and skip like a pebble across the top of the water, popped up everywhere and bumped into us many time as they were trying to escape the larger fish chasing them.  There were also some more uncommon and as a surfing unwanted marine visits. There has never been a shark attack at the surf break, though reef sharks (bottom feeders), hammer heads and tiger sharks.  No shark has been spotted here in two years, but of course the first day in water we had a nice visit from a tiger shark.  Those who spotted it as it surface paddled in closer to the crowd (about 20 surfers) but other than that we just stuck closer together and kept doing out thing.  The last day we were there a crocodile was spotted on the shoreline next to the river mouth.  We were also told this is very uncommon for here and I am happy I didn’t find out it was there until I was about to get out the water for the day.

From the descriptions of my experience we can conclude that environmental changes are occurring at the surf destination.  This is supported by late migration of whales and uncommon wildlife spotting in the area. Through the fear of further growth of the destination and the growth which has occurred in the past ten year, we can see that capacity and development is an issue.  If the beach is further developed to accommodate a larger capacity it will lead to overcrowding in the water, which has already started to become an issue there today.  I did not see any extensive sign to conclude that globalization is a major issue in this location, but I believe it would be hard to judge without previously visited the area.  I am grateful to have experience the culture, met the people I have, experienced the beauty and that the locals allowed me to take a turn checking out their wave.  The experience has contributed and increased awareness and knowledge of the world and will have contributed to shaping my future.   

The UVIC surf club organizes at least one international surf trip every year and a couple with in Vancouver Island.  Last year the club went to Panama, this year the beginner surfers went to Tofino and those who felt they were more advanced picked Mexico.  This supports active international awareness, improvement of individual surfing skill, students to share their passions with like minded athletes and an assortment of new opportunity.  The TRU Riders Surf Club has the same intentions and I hope will grow to this is the future.  To find more information on UVIC's surf club search UVIC Surfing on Facebook and for more information on TRU's surf club search TRU Riders Surf Club on Facebook.

SURF MANAGEMENT PLANS, NEW IRELAND, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (PNG)

 This management system has been installed due to the increasing popularity of New Ireland Province, PNG as a surf destination. “In an effort to promote sustainable development of the sport if surfing and surf tourism, the Nu Ailan Surfriders Aliance (NASA) manages and oversees Surf Management Plans in tour areas of New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea.” The Surf Management System has been developed too:

·    “Manage the number of surf tourists at any one time at the areas covered by the plans to ensure a quality surf experience for visitors and locals.

·    Ensure recognition of traditional and customary rights over reef in surf areas,

·    Provide for levels which support resources custodians and local clubs,

·    Protect the surfing and marine environment, whilst fostering marine and tourism awareness

·    Fostering community development initiatives and good relations

·    Promote the explanation of surf tourism into other areas of the province, so as to spread the activity into rural areas, where involvement and benefits are more profound.” 

This system introduces the use of a surf quota system and visitor fee(this type system is not exclusive to New Ireland and excludes residents).  The fees have been set at AU$10 per day per surfer plus a onetime AU$50 per visiting surfer to the Surfing Association of PNG (SAPNG).  The finances collect through these fees will be used in a range on initiatives including:
 “the development of local surfing, acquisition of equipment and other member needs, attendance and participation in National & International competition, training programmes and club facilities, community level awareness in terms of tourism and the marine environment, community development initiatives, identification and recognition of community structures and working with the various groups forming these structures, along with other forms of support in regards to sport and personal development.” 

The Surf Association of Papua New Guinea’s (SAPNG) initiatives are in the interest of sustainable surfing development (surf-tourism) and will use their portion of the collected fees to manage tourism resources for the benefit of both locals and international visitors as well as reach SAPNG’s goals.  These goals are as follo

	To establish and maintain a code of ethics that earns the respe€ct of the surfing
	community in Papua New Guinea and Overseas.
	To further through surf-tourism the social and economic development at the grass
	roots level through the affiliated surf clubs of the Surfing Association of Papua New
	Guinea.
	To promote conservation and improvement of coastal environments and the
	protection of surfing resources in Papua New Guinea so that the sport of surfing
	can be enjoyed by present and future generations.
	To promote respect for the diverse cultures, traditions and languages of
	Papua New Guinea in all surfers whether members of the Surfing Association of
	Papua New Guinea Inc or guests in Papua New Guinea.
	To promote surf-tourism in Papua New Guinea in an atmosphere of free
	competition so that the benefits flowing from the promotion of surfing maybe
	enjoyed by the local population in the vicinity of surfing venues and by the
	community at large.
	To support and influence surf-tourism in Papua New Guinea in association with
	the Surfing Association of Papua New Guinea and relevant organisations in
	Papua New Guinea and Overseas.
	To promote the expansion of surf-tourism infrastructure in a manner that is
	environmentally and culturally sensitive.
	To support and influence the development of surf-tourism products where the
	potential exists.
	To encourage participation of Papua New Guinea nationals at all levels of the
	surf-tourism industry.
	To influence and co-operate with Government, non-Government, domestic and
	international organisations to promote the aims and objectives of the surf-tourism
	industry

Quotas (It is recommended that surfs book into these quotas in advance):

·         Kavieng max. =20 surf tourists

·         East Coast max.  = 25 surf tourists

·         Lavongai max.  = 15 surf tourists

·         Central New Ireland max. = 20 surf tourists 

Alliance, N. A. (n.d.). Surf management. Retrieved 02 10, 2011, from Surfing Papua New Guinea New Ireland Province: http://www.surfingpng-newireland.org.pg/surf-management.htm

Surf area management. (2003). Retrieved 02 20, 2011, from Papua New Guinea Surf Association : http://www.surfingpapuanewguinea.org.pg/index.htm

Monty Surf Lodge

In December of this past year I started a surf club here at TRU, called TRU Riders Surf Club.  Through both Billy and Kellee’s sent me Montry’s contact information in regards to his surf lodge in Nicaragua.  I contacted him a couple months ago and he informed me he was coming to town, so we arranged a time for him to come and meet our club’s members.  This past Thursday he visited TRU, where he presented us with a slide show of his surf tourism business and the humanitarian efforts that have been developed.  He also spent the time to answer our questions pertaining to his work.

The surf lodge is located in Jiquiliio, Nicaragua (on the North Pacific Coast).  It is the only untouched coastline in Central America.    Close to the lodge is the largest mangrove reserve in the Americas. These mangroves support the year round migration of many birds from around the world as well as the home of a turtle protection project. Paddle board, kayaking and other soft adventure companies are now operating within this reserve area.  The ocean levels have risen over the last 30-40 years, as a result of storms and climate change.  Where the ocean is now use to be a road and had houses on the other side of it.  The community experience high levels of poverty which has motivated the development of a long list of humanitarian efforts.

These humanitarian efforts include: support of childrens education including building an addition on a local school, providing students with uniforms, meals and clean drinking water to support effective learning.  A medical and dental care facility has been constructed as well as the donations of medical and dental equipment and the organization of medical professional tourists, who travel and volunteering time at the clinic.  A community centre has been built to hold seminars to educate locals on how use their resources to live sustainability, including education and donated supplies to grown their own crops.  Trades workshops are organized to support the empowerment of women.  These workshops supply local women with sewing machines, enabling them to manufacturing their kid’s uniforms and clothing, jewellery making workshops using recyclable goods and other trades. Monty has purchase a piece of land, which he has donated to the community to use as a sports field.  Uniforms and sporting equipment has also been donated for community use.  Clean ocean workshop are organized at high school to teach youth about the importance of waste management, recycling and the impact of ocean garbage on marine life.  There is a large population of people that live in the city dump.  Many of these children do not attend school, can’t afford clothing and spend their days sorting through garbage.  Efforts have been conducted to go into this area and serve healthy meals to the residents.  He understands that this is not going to create sustainability, but hopes that this effort offers these people some type of hope.  Monty also works to supports community development and the local economy by employing locals at his lodge as well as organizing government paid positions for local nurses at the medical facility.  All of this development has been constructed by communicating and listening to the needs of the local community members.

Many of these efforts are in partnership with Operation Nicaragua, which is run in Kamloops and headed by local firefighter David.  This operation collects all kinds of supplies and goods, which is stored and sorted in a warehouse in Kamloops and packed into containers to be shipped down to Nicaragua, where they will be distributed throughout the community.  Shipping costs have all been covers by a local shipping carrier that sponsors the operations efforts.

Water contamination is a major concern in the area.  Majority of the contamination is due to construction in the surrounding area.  Guests and non-guests are able to purchase water filtration system for a Nicaraguan family.  Each filtration system costs an average of $40 Canadian dollars.

Social tourism opportunities are available for Monty surf lodge guests including: spending times with orphans, working in the medical clinic, providing a meal for a local school and visiting the class, helping development projects and serving meals to the local homeless population.  Social tourism plays on the self actualization need of the guests.  The idea is to make them feel that they are making a difference in the community, which contributes to one of the surf lodge’s goals which is: to have clients feel that they have connected and created a relationship with the community, which will motivate them to keep coming back to support and further develop this relationship. 

Monty, D. (2011, 02 10). Surf lodge and humanitarian projects prestentation. (A. Mori, Interviewer)