As part of the Erasmus+ programme, Ericeira Surf Club (ESC) developed a European mobility project in the sports sector. Between 22 and 29 September 2024, a delegation of 10 ESC members travelled to Lacanau, in the Médoc region of France, with the aim of developing skills in the areas of sports innovation, social inclusion and practices aligned with ESG principles.

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At the same time, the visit helped to consolidate international cooperation ties with the Municipality of Lacanau and with entities in the region's surfing economy, reinforcing the shared commitment to sustainability, education and sport as drivers of territorial transformation. It should also be noted that Ericeira and Lacanau are member cities of the global organisation World Surf Cities Network. This mobility also falls within the scope of strengthening ties between both WSCs.

 

ESC TEAM

Miguel Barata de Almeida – Chairman of the Board
Miguel Toscano – Director of Innovation & Sustainability
Sofia Tenazinha – Member of the Board

Sónia Patrício – Member of the Board
Pedro Remédios – Member of the Supervisory Board
Maria Pinto – Federated Surf Athlete / ESC Volunteer Staff
Matilde Pinto – Federated Surfing Athlete / ESC Volunteer Staff
Hugo Silva – Adaptive Sports Coach / Surfing4Inclusion Project
Luís Filipe – Surfer / Surfing4Inclusion Project
Luís Costa – Community Manager

 

MOBILITY PROGRAMME

For seven days, the delegation participated in an intensive programme of activities carefully organised jointly by Ericeira Surf Club, the Municipality of Lacanau and Lacanau Surf Club:

• Preparatory visits with the technical team of the municipality of Lacanau led by Dina Faria to validate mobility objectives, expectations and alignment with local priorities and the Erasmus+ programme.

• Good Practice Sharing Seminar: Institutional meeting between the delegation and the municipality team led by the Mayor of Lacanau - Laurent PEYRONDET - which includes managers and staff from the Departments of Sport, Youth, Environment, Economic Development, Coastal Management and Urban Planning, where the municipal strategy for local development focused on the sport of surfing was presented.

• Benchmarking meetings with representatives of the City Council (Departments of Environment, Sport, Inclusion and Coastal Management), identifying innovative practices in sport, territorial accessibility and social inclusion of minorities and people in situations of social vulnerability through surfing, notably the ‘Garriga EST’ and ‘OT Médoc Atlantique’ projects.

• Guided visits and meetings with the Lacanau Surfing Ecosystem: Lacanau Surf Club: meeting with the president and team to exchange practices in sporting events, surf school and social integration of socially vulnerable groups;​​

• UCPA: sharing of sports and recreational education and training practices for young people focused on surfing and water sports;

• EUROSIMA: reflection and discussion on innovation and sustainability in the surfing industry, particularly in the surfwear, equipment and sports accessories market, including trends aligned with the ESG framework;

• OXBOW: analysis of business practices linked to SDGs and digitalisation being developed by surf brands;

• Kahe Nautic, OCENEO and Groupe Soler: technical visits to local companies integrated into the local surfing value chain that are having an impact on the development of the Municipal Sports HUB focused on water sports;

• Lacanau Rescue and First Aid Services: workshop on coastal safety management and rescue in a surfing environment;

• ICON Surfboards: exhibition on creation processes, circularity and innovation in surf materials;

• European Surfing Federation, French Surfing Federation and Gironde Surfing Committee - validating learning with a focus on sports innovation, social cohesion and sustainability, based on future joint European applications.

• Golf Clinic: Experiential activity at GOLF de l'ARDILOUSE aimed at exploring synergies between surfing and other outdoor sports, promoting concentration, balance and connection with nature, values shared by both practices;

• Tree Challenge Experience: an outdoor activity that provided moments of personal achievement, team spirit and immersion in nature. This tree climbing experience reinforced skills such as resilience, concentration and cooperation — values that reflect the essence of surfing and promote outdoor sports as a tool for inclusion and human development;

• Sharing and Reflection Sessions: thematic meetings on social inclusion, ocean literacy, circular economy and sustainability, in collaboration with the entities visited, allowing members of the delegation to consolidate learning and map future opportunities;

• Closing Meeting to validate learning, design initiatives and future tripartite protocol.

 

Find out more: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VuTrF5v_boBGa_15-AwEpOkkYJ0d2XWj/view?usp=sharing

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SPECIAL THANKS

Special thanks to the Municipality of Lacanau, in particular to the Mayor, Laurent Peyrondet, for his warm welcome, inspiring strategic vision and ability to mobilise collective action.

 

Special mention also goes to Dina Faria for her invaluable support in developing the mobility plan, her exemplary coordination and her tireless commitment to organising the logistical, operational and educational aspects of this programme.

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Heartfelt thanks also go to the Lacanau Surf Club team, especially Raphaël Lauga (President) and Nicolas Leseur (Director), for their generous welcome and for sharing their experiences, knowledge and best practices in the areas of sport, social inclusion, education and community management.

 

RESULTS AND NEXT STEPS

During this project, a Tripartite Cooperation Protocol was drawn up between Ericeira Surf Clube, the Municipality of Lacanau and Lacanau Surf Club, with the aim of developing joint initiatives based on the following strategic axes:

• Organisation of sporting events with local and international impact;

• Promotion of innovation in the surfing sector and in club management models;

• Strengthening social inclusion through sport;

• Development of educational and ocean literacy programmes;

• Integration of sustainability and ESG principles.

 

This protocol establishes the basis for future collaborative projects, enabling joint actions to be carried out that strengthen the ties between the surfing communities of Ericeira and Lacanau, within the framework of the World Surf Cities Network, promoting more innovative, inclusive and sustainable surfing.