Our work at the World Surf League is guided by the constant reminder that our role in the surf community comes with a fundamental responsibility to protect the ocean that sustains us. The objective of WSL One Ocean remains the same. We aim to harness the global platform of the World Surf League (WSL) to drive meaningful ocean conservation and climate action. WSL One Ocean is driven by the belief that sport can inspire change, engage audiences and set new trends globally.
Our work is guided by the idea that collective action is essential to address the critical environmental challenges facing our ocean. We aim to engage a global audience, focusing on surfers, fans, and coastal communities, by raising awareness about the importance of ocean health and amplifying efforts to protect marine ecosystems.
Specific goals include supporting local communities through nature-based restoration projects, reducing plastic pollution by implementing sustainable practices at our events, and partnering with leading environmental organizations to amplify our impact. By aligning with global frameworks like the UN Sports for Climate Action and collaborating with sustainability partners globally, we strive to create a ripple effect that extends beyond our events, empowering individuals and organizations to take action for the ocean.
Ultimately, our mission is to ensure that the ocean remains healthy and vibrant for future generations, aligning our efforts with the broader global movement to protect and sustain the marine environment.
As a global sports league, we recognize the impact our events have on the planet. Wherever possible, we have regionalized event operations, including restructuring the qualification process to minimize travel for surfers, and consolidating event locations to host multiple events within the same region to further decrease travel-related impact. The WSL also works closely with local communities at each of our event sites to promote education on the vital role watershed ecosystems play in preserving our surf arena.
We aimed to hone in on where WSL One Ocean could make a significant impact, focusing on Championship Tour locations and projects aligned to supporting coastal nature-based restoration initiatives, reducing plastic pollution, and raising awareness about the importance of ocean health. Our work happens globally, specifically across the WSL CT: USA, Portugal, Australia, Tahiti, El Salvador, Fiji, and Brazil. We integrated sustainable practices into event operations, such as reducing single-serve plastics, promoting reusable alternatives, and organizing local impact projects.
In Tahiti, WSL One Ocean has worked with Coral Gardeners and the local community in the Teahupo’o area since 2019 to support coral reef conservation and environmental stewardship around the Championship Tour stop at Teahupo'o, Tahiti. These initiatives have included coral restoration and transplantation projects, educational workshops for local youth, reef monitoring programs, and community engagement activities designed to raise awareness of the importance of healthy marine ecosystems. The partnership with Coral Gardeners and support from WSL PURE has helped restore and protect vital coral habitats that support marine biodiversity and contribute to the health of the iconic Teahupo'o surf break. Together, these efforts have united surfers, residents, and environmental advocates in safeguarding Tahiti's reefs for future generations.
In Brazil, through partnerships with numerous organizations, WSL One Ocean has helped turn WSL events in Brazil into platforms for practical ocean protection. These programs have removed waste from beaches, mangroves, lagoons, and the Baía de Guanabara; restored native coastal vegetation; transformed event materials into useful community infrastructure and surf-related products; and created educational moments for youth, athletes, fans, and local communities. The signage from our event in Saquarema was upcycled into surf fins, benches and bus stops. WSL Brazil also continued its collaboration with the NBA in Brazil for the "Nets for Change", a sustainability initiative which converts discarded fishing nets into basketball hoops, removing a threat to the marine ecosystem and converting it into a functional item supporting local communities and schools.
We continue to build on these efforts and others not mentioned, year after year, amplifying the organizations around the world who are the cornerstones of driving this positive change.
From innovative event-driven upcycling projects, to coastal restoration and long-term reef rehabilitation, this work is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our partners on the ground, the WSL team, and all those working to advance ocean conservation and sustainability globally.
In Saquarema, Brazil, event banners and structural materials underwent an upcycling process, turning shredded waste into heavy-duty fence posts. Through this upcycling, 325 permanent fence posts were installed from signage, protecting 970 meters of fragile coastal vegetation. WSL Brazil also removed 8 tons of waste from Guanabara Bay, joining forces with SailGP in an unprecedented environmental impact initiative.
Over in Tahiti, the Tavarua Island Giant Clam Restoration Project brings together Tavarua Island Resort, the Fiji Ministry of Fisheries and the University of the South Pacific, to help revitalize the reef ecosystem and protect the endangered giant clam species. In 2017, 500 baby clams were brought back to Tavarua and through this work have now grown into 1,000 sub adults, spawning naturally in the ocean nursery.
Since 2019, WSL One Ocean has worked with Coral Gardeners and the local community in the Teahupo’o area to support coral reef conservation and environmental stewardship around the Championship Tour stop at Teahupo'o, Tahiti. In 2025 alone, Coral Gardeners seeded more than 54,546 corals across French Polynesia, Fiji, and Thailand.
And these are just a few of our partners worldwide doing this work day in and day out so future generations will be able to enjoy the beauty of our one ocean.
