From Surfonomics to Insurance: Valuing and Protecting Surf Ecosystems
Organizer: OCTO
Date and Time: Thu, Jun 4, 2026 · 12:00 PM EDT (9:00 AM PDT / 4:00 PM UTC)
Location: Virtual
About This Event: Surf ecosystems, the land-to-sea interface that generates breaking, rideable waves and supports the communities and biodiversity around them, create significant economic and cultural value yet remain largely unrecognized as natural assets in coastal policy. This webinar introduces Surfonomics, a methodology for quantifying the economic value surfing generates for coastal communities, and shows how reframing a surf break as a natural asset opens new conservation pathways.
The featured case study follows the Save The Waves Coalition’s work on the Oriente Salvaje World Surfing Reserve in El Salvador, where a first-of-its-kind parametric insurance pilot is being designed to protect surf ecosystems against climate risk.
What to Expect:
- The Surfonomics methodology and its origins
- Climate vulnerability assessments for surf ecosystems
- Case study: Oriente Salvaje World Surfing Reserve, El Salvador
- How parametric insurance can backstop coastal conservation
Panel Presenters / Speakers:
- Nik Strong-Cvetich, Save The Waves Coalition
- Diego Sancho-Gallegos, Save The Waves Coalition
Contact or Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_H5ZIdxmDRJu9Jg5w2zuTww