Waves of Opportunity

16/10/2026

🌊 Ericeira Celebrates 15 Years of the World Surf Cities Network

From 20 to 24 October 2026, Ericeira will host the World Surf Cities Network (WSCN) annual meeting, bringing together representatives from eight countries to celebrate 15 years of international cooperation between surf cities.

Lacanau will also take part in this international gathering as a member of the World Surf Cities Network, which brings together surf destinations from 18 countries around the world. 🌊🌍

This participation is an opportunity to share experiences, strengthen international partnerships and promote sustainable development through surf culture.

The programme includes a commemorative exhibition, the network’s General Assembly, an international conference on surf, innovation and sustainable development, and events at Ribeira d’Ilhas, including the OLAS PRO TOUR and the handover of the WSCN presidency.

As a World Surfing Reserve, Ericeira reaffirms its commitment to sustainability, ocean protection and local communities, promoting surfing as a driver of economic, social, cultural and environmental development.

🌍 15 years connecting cities, communities and oceans!

15/10/2026

🌊 Rethinking surf tourism on our coastlines! 🏄‍♀️

The European project iSURF ATLANTIC, together with Handi Surf, invites everyone interested in the future of surf tourism to join an online webinar:

🌍 “How can we rethink surf tourism on our coastlines?”

📅 Thursday, 15 October 2026
🕔 5:00 PM (CET)
💻 Online webinar

Surfers, local residents, associations, tourism professionals and all those passionate about our coastlines are invited to share their perspectives on the development of surf tourism, discuss its key challenges, and explore ideas for a more inclusive and sustainable future.

🌱 Let's work together to make surf tourism more accessible, inclusive and respectful of our coastal environments!

🔗 Register now and join the conversation!

CoastalCommunities AtlanticArea SurfingForAll

05/10/2026

🌊 OLAS PRO TOUR EUROPE 2026 | ERICEIRA 🇵🇹

From 23–25 October 2026, Ericeira will host the OLAS PRO TOUR Europe Final Meeting, bringing together some of the most promising young surfers from Europe and Latin America.

🏄‍♀️ U10 | U12 | U14 | U16 | U18
👦 Boys & Girls
🌍 Portugal • Spain • France + Latin America
📍 Ribeira d’Ilhas, Ericeira World Surfing Reserve
📡 International broadcast

More than a competition, the event is a unique opportunity for young athletes to train, compete, learn and connect across cultures, bringing together the next generation of surfers from both sides of the Atlantic.

The international programme will also include a training camp in Viana do Castelo, a visit to Nazaré and Praia do Norte, and cultural and educational activities in Ericeira — including the Save The Waves Film Festival.

🏆 The programme will culminate in the Europe Final Meeting competition and Awards Ceremony in Ericeira.

📝 Registrations open until 21 October at 23:59
🔗 Registration: https://forms.gle/WJTc1JkbcjZQDgRb6

🤝 Organised by Mafra Municipality, Ericeira Surf Clube, World Surf Cities Network & OLAS PRO TOUR, as part of Ericeira’s Presidency of the World Surf Cities Network.

🌎 Connecting cities, cultures and young surfers through the ocean.

28/08/2026

06/08/2026

In memory of Arran Strong 🤍🌊

🙏 Great athletes win titles, but great people leave a lasting impact. Arran Strong was both.

A talented surfer, dedicated coach and inspiring mentor, Arran used surfing to promote education, inclusion, health and hope. Despite living with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, he turned every challenge into strength, inspiring countless young people and communities through his passion and kindness.

His legacy is far greater than his sporting achievements. It lives on in everyone he encouraged to believe in themselves and in the power of the ocean to change lives.

Thank you, Arran. Your spirit will forever ride the waves of Ericeira. 💙🏄‍♂️

.surf.club.puglia

23/06/2026

SoloSurf – Part of the Waves of Opportunity Project 🌊

Born from a simple idea in 2005, SoloSurf has grown into one of Europe's pioneering surf therapy organizations, using the power of the ocean to improve the lives of people with autism and cognitive disabilities.

Through years of innovation, research, and inclusion, SoloSurf has developed professional surf therapy programs that combine psychology, education, aquatic therapy, and surfing to promote wellbeing, confidence, and social connection.

Today, as a key partner in the European Waves of Opportunity initiative, SoloSurf continues to share its expertise across Europe, helping create safer, more accessible, and more inclusive surf therapy opportunities for everyone.

Because every wave can become an opportunity. 🌊💙

AdaptiveSurfing OceanForAll ErasmusPlus SurfForChange

05/06/2026

Catarina Matias, based in Lisbon, is a researcher and lecturer at Universidade Lusófona, within the FEFD – Faculty of Physical Education and Sport. She is also an integrated member of CIDEFES, the Research Group in Sports Behavior, Physical Education, Exercise and Health Sciences.

Her research focuses on Biochemistry, Body Composition, Nutrition, and Health Sciences. Catarina is highly involved in European projects thanks to her strong expertise, proactive mindset, and ability to develop innovative ideas and collaborative initiatives.

Within the “Waves of Opportunity” project, she plays a key role in supporting the project’s mission to empower NEETs by introducing them to surfing as a tool for personal development, social inclusion, and openness to the world. Her contribution is essential in helping young people gain confidence, discover new opportunities, and build stronger connections through sport and outdoor experiences.

 

21/05/2026

🇫🇷 🇵🇹 Lacanau Welcomes the Consul General of Portugal 🌊

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of welcoming Miguel de Brito e Abreu, Consul General of Portugal, to Lacanau.

This meeting was an opportunity to highlight the many similarities between our municipality and several Portuguese coastal territories, while sharing a common ambition: building lasting ties of friendship with the Ericeira region through surf culture — a key part of our identity and our openness to the world.

We also presented the European projects that the municipality of Lacanau will be involved in over the next three years, focusing on surfing, inclusion, youth, and sport as a driver of social cohesion and international exchange.

Through these initiatives, Lacanau reaffirms its commitment to making surfing a genuine tool for sharing, innovation, and European cooperation.

A sincere thank you to the Consul for this visit and this meaningful exchange! 🤝🌍

24/04/2026

🌏 Sara Brivio is a highly motivated and skilled young professional from Italy, currently working as a coordinator at AL2SPORT.
She plays a key role in leading the European project Waves of Opportunity.

☀️ Frequently traveling for work, Sara ensures smooth collaboration between partners by organizing meetings, clarifying each stakeholder’s responsibilities, and keeping the project on track.

🏡 As the main point of contact, she is deeply committed to the success of this Erasmus+ initiative, which aims to make surfing more inclusive—especially for NEETs (young people not in education, employment, or training).
Her dedication, organization, and leadership make her an essential driving force behind the project.

20/04/2026

The Ocean Belongs to Everyone

The horizon doesn't see borders, and the waves don't ask for a resume. 🌊

We are proud to fly the flag of WAVES OF OPPORTUNITY.

This European collaboration is more than just a surf program; it is a movement. By bringing together nations from across the continent, we are proving that the ocean is the ultimate classroom for growth, resilience, and inclusion.

Why Surfing?

Surfing is a transformative force. For young NEETs (those currently not in education, employment, or training), the water offers:

Mental Clarity: Finding focus in the rhythm of the tides.

Resilience: Learning that falling off is just part of the process of getting back up.

Belonging: Breaking isolation through a shared, supportive community.

Confidence: Reclaiming self-worth, one wave at a time.

Our Mission

We believe that every young person deserves a chance to find their flow. Inclusion isn't just a goal—it’s our North Star. By lowering the barriers to entry, we are opening doors to new professional horizons and personal breakthroughs.

"A rising tide lifts all boats. In our case, it lifts every surfer."

Together, across Europe, we are turning the tide. We are creating a sea of change where opportunity is as endless as the ocean itself. 🇪🇺🏄‍♂️🏄‍♀️