Madeira´s waves under threat

William Henry works for Save the Waves Coalition, a US-based enviro group dedicated to preserving the surfing environment. He writes to let us know about a desperate situation that is going on in Madeira, Portugal, one of the world´s premier big wave destinations. He hopes that you can help him pass the word. They are getting some help from the Surfrider Foundation and some magazines, but even that might not be enough. Please read what has been prepared below, and feel free to contact him if you have any questions. If you can help spread the word, Madeira´s surfers would be eternally grateful.

http://www.savethewaves.org

World-Class Waves Threatened by Coastal Development

On the Portuguese island of Madeira, government plans for seaside construction has placed many of the island´s waves in jeopardy, including Jardim do Mar, named by Surfer Magazine as "the world´s best (and perhaps only) big wave point break." A coalition of environmental groups is organizing a protest to occur in September, where members of the international surfing media will attend. Please read the information below, which highlights the waves under threat, and also includes an official press release explaining the nature of the problem.

Jardim do Mar (the crown prince of the island, a big-wave right-hand point break that is unlike any wave in the world): a seaside road and accompanying seawall is currently under construction along the point and, despite assurances from the government, the work appears to be mere weeks away from damaging the wave. The road´s perimeter has been established, and in order to protect it, they must place riprap into the water to shield it from large winter swells. Experts have concluded that this will add turbulence to the line-up. Environmental groups charge that the government of Madeira has not been following EU standards and is violating Portuguese law. Check http://www.savethewaves.org

Lugar de Baixo (world-class right-hander, aka "Sammyland" or Ponta do Sol): although the marina was relocated due in part to the pressure that STW applied, coastal armament continues along the point to secure the location of a new waterfront hotel and shopping complex. Initially, the government had promised to remove the boulder wall that they had placed along the top of the point. Instead, the armament construction resumed and now runs almost the whole length of the point, creating a ghastly backwash at high tide, which was previously the best tide to surf it. (picture above by Trond Saettem)

Paul do Mar (shifty right-hand reef break which produces Backdoor Pipe style barrels, and is often one of the only places to surf with a small swell): Widening of a coastal road and accompanying armament resulted in added riprap to the shore, creating a backwash at high tide. Plans indicate more riprap may be added in the near future. (picture above by William Henry)

Contreiras (called "Bonecrushers" in the Surf Report, excellent left pointbreak): extension of a seawall to protect a shoreside fish hatchery threatens break. (no picture)

Faja da Areia (aka "Galinhas" or "Chickens", a flat reef tubing peak that is the only thing resembling a beginner´s spot on the island, breaks good up to about 8 foot faces): yet another seaside promenade planned for this stretch, which could threaten backwash. (picture above by William Henry)

Ponta Delgada: (big wave left point, excellent on big swells, incredibly perfect when on with 200 yard rides): protection wall for public swimming pool currently under construction, backwash expected. (picture above by Pedro Jorge, surfer: Will Henry)

Protest organised for 19 & 20 September 2003

A protest has been organized for the 19th and 20th of September on the island of Madeira. Surfers from around the globe are urged to attend. Surfing in Madeira is young, and there are only 30-40 surfers on the whole island. The protest is being organized by Save the Waves Coalition, a US-based environmental org, and Cosmos, an environmental group native to Madeira. There is currently no corporate sponsorship of the protest, although Save the Waves is actively seeking it.

Save the Waves Coalition is 100% volunteer-run. No one on our staff or board of directors receives a salary of any kind, so almost all of our donation money goes directly to a campaign. To learn more about how to help, visit the Save the Waves website at www.savethewaves.org.

http://www.savethewaves.org

CONSTRUCTION IN JARDIM DO MAR REACHES CRITICAL PHASE:

WAVE DAMAGE IMMINENT

The famous surf spot of Jardim do Mar, site of the 2000 Red Bull Big Wave Challenge, is again under threat of destruction by ongoing construction of a seaside promenade and accompanying seawall. Surfers on the island of Madeira are calling for international help in preserving what has been called by Surfer Magazine “the world’s best (and perhaps only) big wave pointbreak.” The development is one of many coastal projects that are currently threatening more than half of the surf breaks on the island. Other current and future projects are planned for Sao Vicente, Ponta Delgada, Contreiras, Paul do Mar, and Lugar de Baixo, all of which could cause irreparable damage to the surfing waves.

Due to the secretive nature of public projects on this small island, the public has been mostly uninformed as to the scope of the project in Jardim do Mar. Initial plans were met with sharp skepticism when they were leaked to the public, which culminated late last year when a coalition of surfers and environmental groups staged a demonstration in the town’s center square. Afterwards, the government apparently relented by claiming that they would redesign and downsize the project, so that the famous surf spot of Jardim do Mar would be left unharmed. However, no new plans were released to the public, which worried many of the island’s surfers and concerned public that the government was merely using a smokescreen to carry through with their initial plans.

The construction has now progressed to a point at which the size of the project is no longer a mystery. The scale appears to be in line with that of the initial proposal. Many tons of rock and debris have been dumped along the point, creating a road that has completely buried the beach. Some of the rocks used in construction have been removed, using heavy equipment, from the reef itself. According to the plans, the road will then be protected by riprap, which could extend some 20 meters (60 feet) further into the sea. This will create conditions unfavorable to surfing, in the form of reverberation (backwash) and turbulence in the water.

On May 27, Portuguese environmental groups Cosmos and Quercus filed a complaint in Tribunal Court in Funchal, challenging the Government of Madeira’s allegedly illegal construction on the island’s coastline. A hearing on this issue, however, will not occur until after the construction in Jardim do Mar is slated to finish.

The issue illustrates what has become a much larger problem in Madeira, a problem that has received a great deal of national attention. Many of Portugal´s most prominent intellectuals have recently written op-ed pieces condemning the government´s actions, accusing them of suppressing democratic rights. The ruling government of President Alberto Joao Jardim, however, seems unswayed. Having been in power for over twenty years, this government is not easily influenced by public opinion.

In the last five years, many public works projects have been undertaken in Madeira, funded in part from the European Union, which earmarks money for so-called “underdeveloped” nations in Europe to improve infrastructure. EU guidelines call for certain criterion to be fulfilled prior to commencing construction, including a public hearing and environmental impact reports. Yet in not one of these coastal projects have these guidelines been met. No public hearings have occurred, and despite the proximity to the marine environment, EIR’s have not been performed. In some cases, almost no warning is given before the heavy machines pour into a village and construction starts.

A coalition of environmental groups is planning another public demonstration in November 2003, to protest the loss of recreational sites for the sport of surfing, and to demand that EU guidelines are met in all future projects. To get more information, visit Save the Waves Coalition at , or contact executive director Will Henry at willhenry@savethewaves.org.

http://www.savethewaves.org

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Will Henry
executive director

Save the Waves Coalition
www.savethewaves.org
3500 Coast Highway
PO Box 183
Davenport, CA 95017 USA
831-426-6169

Environment - Surfersvillage

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