Study: Sea level rise could diminish $200M surfing economy along Santa Cruz coast

"SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KGO) -- It's no secret that sun and surf draw millions of people to California's beach towns. But now researchers in Santa Cruz are translating that wave into dollars and cents using the power of what some call, surfonomics. Professional surfer Shaun Burns is with the Save the Waves Coalition. They've just released a new study documenting the economic benefits that surfing brings to Santa Cruz. A figure they estimate at nearly $200 million a year."

"But like other communities up and down the California coast, the famed Santa Cruz shoreline and its dozens of surf breaks are facing threats from climate change. The report estimates that a single foot of sea level rise could diminish surfable waves by nearly 40% as the ocean tides push inland towards increasingly vulnerable cliffs. Diego Sancho helped model the costly scenarios."

""And then those breaks that were low tide only right now will eventually not break at all or only under very, very low tides. In addition to that, you have the whole cliff situation," says Sancho. Translated into surfonomics, the team projects losses into the tens of millions of dollars for the Santa Cruz economy."

Surfing generates nearly $200 million each year for Santa Cruz through visitor spending at restaurants, coffee shops, and attractions such as the boardwalk. Surfing remains a primary draw even as local sales and rent rise. Sea level rise of a single foot could reduce surfable waves by nearly 40% as tides push inland toward vulnerable cliffs. Low-tide-only breaks may stop breaking except under very low tides. Projected economic impacts translate into tens of millions of dollars in losses for the Santa Cruz economy. Nearby communities are pursuing beach restoration to recover surf access.

Read at ABC7 San Francisco