On April 23, the Intermunicipal Community of Oeste (OesteCIM) hosted the Kick-Off Meeting of the European project iSURFATLANTIC – An Inclusive and Sustainable Surfing Route for the Atlantic Area, funded by the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme.
This meeting marked the official launch of a transnational initiative bringing together partners from Portugal, Spain, France, and Ireland, with OesteCIM acting as Lead Partner. The project aims to position the Atlantic Area as a leading destination for sustainable, inclusive, and socially responsible surf tourism.
The event opened with welcome remarks from OesteCIM and project partners, followed by the presentation of the project’s strategic framework, including its objectives, expected results, and key milestones up to 2028.
A central objective of iSURFATLANTIC is the development of the first transnational sustainable and inclusive surf tourism route, connecting the West region (Portugal), Cantabria (Spain), Gironde (France), and Northwest Ireland. The project will also promote accessibility to surf tourism for all, including people with disabilities, while supporting environmentally sustainable practices and strengthening the resilience of coastal communities.
The programme included a technical session focused on the project’s implementation status, as well as a dedicated session on inclusion and adaptive surfing, addressing training methodologies, accessibility standards, and the alignment of practices across partner regions.
In the afternoon, discussions addressed risk management procedures and project monitoring tools. Prior to the institutional visit, participants visited Supertubos Beach (Peniche), host of the Portuguese stage of the World Surf League Championship Tour, gaining direct insight into one of Europe’s most recognised surf destinations.
The programme concluded with a visit to the Peniche High Performance Surf Centre, a key facility within the national high-performance sports network. The centre is designed to support the training and technical development of elite athletes and teams, with accommodation capacity for approximately 30 users. Its location reflects Peniche’s unique natural conditions for wave sports and its strategic positioning as the “Wave Capital”.
Running until 2028, iSURFATLANTIC will deliver a set of strategic and operational outputs, including a transnational surf route plan, training programmes, pilot actions, and a European blueprint for sustainable and inclusive surf tourism, contributing to enhanced cooperation and sustainable development across the Atlantic Area.
