15/01/2026
From SAPNG’s inception, the people and community have always been at the heart of why PNG implements our Surf Management Plans.
By limiting the number of surfers in our designated Surf Management Plan Areas, we ensure uncrowded waves for inbound international surfers and provide a steady source of passive income for our traditional resource-custodian host communities.
SAPNG Surf Management plan levies are charged to each surfer, with a percentage of these funds allocated to a community trust fund that the community members decide how to use.
Here in Vanimo, the community of Lido Village has decided to use approximately K50,000 of these accumulated funds to build a brand new classroom for the St Therese Lote Primary School right in the heart of the village.
The construction of the new classroom was a collaborative effort involving visiting international surfers staying at Vanimo Surf Lodge and local villagers, all made possible by funds generated through SAPNG’s locally-developed models and policies within the Vanimo Surf Management Plan Area.
This marks another significant milestone in surfing, bringing positive, sustainable change to our communities across PNG and Bougainville as SAPNG celebrates 37 years since its founding.
The classroom is set to be completed in the coming month and will be ready for use shortly thereafter.