Global Wave Conference 2020 Achieves Stoke Certification

The 6th biennial Global Wave Conference held in February 2020 at Southern Cross University in Bilinga has become the first Australian event to be STOKE certified. 

GWC 2020 was awarded the certification by the international sustainability certification body for its sustainability management focus. The event was also nominated in the Surfing Australia Hall of Fame Award for the “Good" category.

The Conference was hosted by Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve on behalf of International Partners Save the Waves, Surfrider Foundation, Wild Coast, Surfers Against Sewage, and with the International Association of Surfing Researchers.

Over 400 delegates representing 20 International countries attended with 96 speakers presenting on a diverse range of environmental issues and sustainable outcomes.

As a direct result of the Conference, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk offered legislation to protect surf breaks at the Gold Coast and Noosa World Surfing Reserves.

The Conference highlight reel can be viewed here. 

Image credit: Shayne Nienaber