AFTER almost 20 years, southern Gold Coast beaches have been recognised for their value to the surf community.

National Surfing Reserves founder and chairman Brad Farmer said three surf breaks on the southern Gold Coast would be announced as surf reserves in February before the Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro.

Burleigh Heads, Currumbin Alley and the surf break encompassing Kirra, Greenmount, Rainbow Bay and Snapper Rocks join 11 other nationally recognised surf breaks around Australia, including Manly (NSW), Kirralea (NSW) and Margaret River (WA).

"There are four criteria for a surf reserve. It's got to be a good-quality wave, have a continuous surf heritage, be a quality environment and have a dedicated surf community," Mr Farmer said.

"It will be a fact that having a national surf reserve will elevate the area and have a positive influence to protect and conserve a surf break."

Mr Farmer said having the reserve will not limit people activities or directly protect the surf breaks.

This idea of national surf reserves was born on the Gold Coast in 1993, but it has taken almost 20 years for a Gold Coast location to be included in the expanding list.

"It has been the largest per capita surfing location in the world," Mr Farmer said.

Mr Farmer said it has taken time to address the interests of everyone involved in the Gold Coast's surfing industry.

The idea of reserves has been taken up globally with the World Surf Reserve recognizing Manly Beach (NSW) and Santa Cruz (USA) and Ericeira (Portugal).