2014 | SANTOS, BRAZIL
The Annual Meeting of the World Surf Cities Network (WSCN ) took place on May 9, 2014, at SESC Santos (Brazil), as part of the 3rd WSCN International Surf Conference, organized by the Municipality of Santos in collaboration with Fomento de San Sebastián.
Delegations from six member cities, along with the network's technical team, participated in a meeting that consolidated Santos' role as an international benchmark for inclusive and community-based surfing.
Cities Present
Donostia–San Sebastián (Spain)
Durban (South Africa)
Ericeira (Portugal)
Santos (Brazil)
Viana do Castelo (Portugal)
Representatives from the Technical Secretariat of WSCN (Fomento de San Sebastián).
Meeting Objectives
To strengthen cooperation between member cities and promote surfing as an economic and social engine.
Evaluate the work developed in 2013 and define the 2014 Action Plan.
To approve the creation of the new Surf Care thematic area, focused on sustainability, inclusion, and the environment.
To prepare for the 2015 Annual Meeting, to be held in Durban (South Africa).
2013–2014 Review: Results and Best Practices
The meeting highlighted the progress achieved in four main areas: Promotion, Best Practices, Cooperation and Research.
Promotion
Creation of a technical strategy for promoting surf tourism (WSCN Tourism document).
Increased visibility of the WSCN brand in city-wide initiatives.
Update to the network's website, with 24 news items published in 2013 — Arica, Donostia, Gran Canaria, Durban and Santos were the most active.
Inclusion of the WSCN logo in the new surf signage of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Good Practices
Knowledge exchange between cities: Donostia–San Sebastián and Arica.
The “Soñando sobre las Olas” project (Santos) — a model of international cooperation that united Donostia, Las Palmas, and Santos, promoting surfing for visually impaired people and social inclusion, with private funding.
Transfer of educational methodologies and materials between surf schools.
Cooperation
Business mission between companies from Donostia–San Sebastián and the Gold Coast.
Technical visit by Cisco Araña (Santos) to schools in Donostia and Las Palmas.
Comparative study of surf tourism in Hossegor and Arica.
Global Training Program: Job placements for 3 young people in New Zealand, Chile, and France.
Rotary International's support for the Soñando sobre las Olas project.
Investigation
Study on the economic impact of surfing in Hossegor (a model for other cities).
Marketing plan for surf schools in Arica Surf City.
Technical document WSCN Economic Impact, prepared by Donostia–San Sebastián, as a basis for a homogeneous study in all cities.
Work Plan 2014
Promotion
Developing a joint surf tourism strategy between cities.
Creating an internal communication strategy for the network.
Good Practices
Transfer and modeling of local best practices.
Creation of pilot projects for best practices.
Cooperation
Promoting business partnerships and international exchanges.
Opening up to new city memberships in the Americas, Asia, and the USA.
Continuation of the Global Training 2014–2015 program.
Identifying private partners for project co-financing.
Investigation
Study on new trends in surf tourism and adaptation of the offer.
Assessment of the economic impact of surfing in all cities within the network.
Creation of the "Surf Care" Area
The new Surf Care themed area has been officially created, dedicated to:
Environmental sustainability of coastal zones;
Social inclusion and community projects;
Adapted surfing and environmental education.
This area has become a cross-cutting pillar of the network, inspiring future programs such as Surfing4Inclusion and Ericeira WSR+10.
Decisions and Conclusions
Unanimous approval of the 2014 Work Plan and the two global strategic projects:
Study of the economic impact of surfing;
Joint strategy for surf tourism.
Recognizing the need to improve internal communication between cities.
Reinforcing the commitment of each city to dedicate time and resources to the network.
Viana do Castelo volunteered to coordinate the internal communication proposal.
Ericeira presented its experience as the first World Surfing Reserve in Europe, a model for integrating tourism and sustainability.
Next Meeting – Durban 2015
During the final session, Teddi Adams (Durban) presented the program for the next WSCN meeting, which would coincide with the 50th anniversary of Surfing South Africa, between April 22nd and 26th, 2015.
The event would include conferences on surfing and sustainability, a surf fair, youth competitions between cities, workshops, and a gala honoring the pioneers of South African surfing.
Meeting Data
Location: SESC Santos (Brazil)
Date: May 9, 2014
Presidency: Donostia–San Sebastián (Spain)
Technical Secretariat: Development of San Sebastián
New Member Cities: Ericeira (Portugal) and Viana do Castelo (Portugal)
Area Created: Surf Care (sustainability and inclusion)
Next Meeting: Durban (South Africa), 2015
