Surfonomics - The Impact of Surfing on the Local Economy of Mundaka, Spain

Melissa Murphy - College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University and
Maria Bernal - Autonoma University Madrid, Spain
Commissioned by Save The Waves Coalition

Summary of Key Findings:
1) Surfing and the wave at Mundaka has an estimated positive economic impact of up to $4.5 million per year to the local economy - in a town of approximately 1,900 people.

2) Surfing at Mundaka adds up to $1.5 million in annual personal income to the local population, and supports up to 95 jobs.(1)

3) A majority of survey respondents claimed they would no longer visit Mundaka if the wave there were significantly degraded.

4) Local businesses estimated that up to 40% of their customers are surfers or surf spectators, and that the loss of business due to the degradation of the wave and the cancellation of the Billabong Pro contest could be as high as 50%.(2)

For media inquiries and for more information on the study,
please contact Save The Waves at  +1-831-426-6169  or info@savethewaves.org
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(1) Estimate based on visitation levels of 40,000 per year.
(2) Based on informal interviews with local businesses.

About International Surfing Association
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980. 

ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since.  The ISA's four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Maile Aguerre (Hawaii) and Mike Gerard (USA).

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