A North Devon stretch of coastline, including Croyde, has officially been declared as a World Surfing Reserve, making it one of only 12 spots on the planet to be awarded that title.
The reserve stretches for about 19 miles, starting at the longboarders’ heaven of Saunton, around Down End point and into Croyde, then onwards to Putsborough, Woolacombe and Lynmouth. This is the first time in the UK that any stretch of coast has been named a World Surfing Reserve and also the first cold water surfing reserve, making this award even more prestigious.
Gaining this recognition wasn’t a formality, and required a lot of hard work behind the scenes from local surfers and other supporters.