What is Surfer Scientists?

Surfer Scientists is an inclusive, community-led coastal intelligence system.
It enables surf communities, public authorities and tourism actors to access and use nearshore ocean data for climate adaptation, coastal planning and local livelihoods.

Co-developed with surfers, it embeds low-cost sensing technologies into everyday coastal life.

THE CHALLENGE

Critical data gaps. Fragile ecosystems. Communities excluded.

The nearshore surf zone is one of the least monitored parts of the ocean.
Yet it is where people live, surf, fish and work.

Decisions affecting coastlines, reefs and development are often made without reliable local data, and without the participation of the communities most affected.

THE SHIFT

From data gaps to community intelligence

Surfer Scientists turns surf communities into coastal monitoring networks.

The people most exposed to coastal change become the ones generating the data to understand, protect and shape their coastal futures.

HOW IT WORKS

Simple. Local. Connected.

Collect
Surfers, youth and women ocean observers use low-cost sensors, tide gauges and drones to gather nearshore data.

Process
Data is processed using international ocean standards to ensure quality, interoperability and open access.

Use
Insights are shared through community dashboards, supporting local decision-making and coordination.

THE DASHBOARD

A shared space to see, understand and decide

The Surfer Scientists Dashboard transforms data into a living, visual system.

At its core are high-resolution maps of surf breaks, created through drone mapping, revealing how reefs, sandbanks and coastlines shape waves and protect shorelines.

These are layered with real-time insights from sensors, alongside environmental, social and cultural features of each site.

A dedicated gender layer highlights how women and girls use coastal spaces, ensuring their perspectives are visible and included.

Designed beyond text, the dashboard uses visual formats so that everyone can engage, regardless of literacy.

It becomes a shared, trusted space where communities recognise their knowledge, build ownership over data, and interpret change together.

WHY IT MATTERS

Surf breaks are more than waves

They are renewable coastal assets that support livelihoods, tourism and coastal protection.

From surf guides to hotels, from reef ecosystems to natural coastal defence, surf breaks sit at the intersection of economy, culture and resilience.

WHAT MAKES THIS INITIATIVE DIFFERENT

Community-led
Data generated by those who live and depend on the coast

Low-cost technology
Designed for real-world, nearshore environments

Decision infrastructure
Not just data collection, but shared tools for action

SCALE

With over 5,000 documented surf breaks globally, Surfer Scientists can scale rapidly through existing surf networks facing shared climate risks and coastal development pressures.

EXPLORE WHERE WE WORK