Manly Beach was recently approved World Surfing Reserve status. The iconic beach - the southern-most on Sydney's Northern Beaches - will be officially declared a World Surfing Reserve in a ceremony in 2012.

Last year World Surfing Reserves dedicated its first reserve at Malibu, California, and besides Manly and Malibu several more sites have been approved and are awaiting dedication, including Ericeira in Portugal and Santa Cruz in the USA. The program has quickly been gaining momentum, and is endorsed by surfing notables such as Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew, Greg Long, Holly Beck, and Kelly Slater.

"World Surfing Reserves is an idea whose time has come," says Brad Farmer, WSR Executive Committee member and co-founder of NSR Australia. "It's the enshrinements we make today that will preserve the natural and cultural heritage for the next generation."

The World Surfing Reserves (WSR) program is modelled on the successful 'Surfing Reserves' template started in Australia in 2005. WSR proactively identifies, designates, and preserves outstanding waves, surf zones and their surrounding environments, around the world. WSR sites are nominated and selected based on four major criteria: quality and consistency of waves, importance to surf culture and history, environmental characteristics, and community support.

To find out more about World Surfing Reserves visit their website.