ERICEIRA
EVENTS
Ericeira is recognized as one of the most important venues for surfing championships and events in Europe. Its status as a World Surfing Reserve and the exceptional quality of its waves have transformed the town into a regular destination for international, national, and regional competitions.
Beyond the competitive aspect, these events have a strong economic and social impact, attracting thousands of visitors every year, boosting local commerce and projecting Ericeira 's image onto the global surfing scene. More than just championships, they are also moments of celebration of surf culture, involving the local community and reinforcing the town's identity as a true World Surf City .
EVENTS - ERICEIRA SURF CLUB
COMPETITIONS
Ericeira Surf Club (ESC) is responsible for some of the most important events on the Portuguese competitive calendar. These include the Portuguese Surfing Cup, the National Surf Masters Championship, the National and Regional Junior Surf Championship, the National Longboard Circuit, the National Bodyboard Circuit, and the Ericeira Open – Qualifying for the MEO League.
These competitions cover various disciplines – surfing, bodyboarding, longboarding, SUP, skimboarding, bodysurfing, kayak surfing, and waveskiing – and attract athletes of different ages and skill levels, making Ericeira a true hub for the development of national surfing.
EVENTOS ESPECIAIS
Para além das competições oficiais, o ESC dinamiza eventos especiais que combinam surf, cultura e celebração da comunidade. Entre eles estão o Boardriders Trophy, o Ericeira Paddle Trophy, o Red Bull Rivals, o Twins & Fins, o Tributo a Tom Morey (2021) e as comemorações do 25º e 30º aniversário do clube. Estes momentos reforçam a identidade cultural da vila e celebram o surf como parte integrante do quotidiano da Ericeira.
CORPORATE EVENTS
The club also plays an active role in the social and business spheres, organizing corporate events and social responsibility initiatives in partnership with universities, companies, and national and international institutions. Among the most relevant are sustainability workshops, Earth Day events, World Mental Health Day, beach cleanups, team-building activities, and collaborations with academic institutions such as the European University and the University of Tennessee (USA). These initiatives demonstrate how surfing can be a tool for social innovation, environmental awareness, and community integration.
MEO SURF LEAGUE
The MEO Surf League is the main professional surfing circuit in Portugal and the competition that annually determines the national champions. Ericeira is a regular stop on this circuit, hosting some of the most emblematic stages, held on beaches such as Ribeira d'Ilhas.
These championships bring together the elite of Portuguese surfing and also play a fundamental role in the development of new talent, offering a competitive platform that projects national athletes onto the international stage. The connection of the MEO League to Ericeira reinforces the town's status as a center of excellence for surfing in Portugal.
Beyond the sporting aspect, each stage of the MEO League in Ericeira generates a significant economic and social impact: it attracts hundreds of participants, technical teams, sponsors, and visitors, boosting the hotel, restaurant, and local commerce sectors. The events are broadcast live online and on television, guaranteeing high media visibility and promoting Ericeira throughout the country and beyond.
WORLD SURF LEAGUE
Ribeira d'Ilhas beach, located in the heart of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve, is considered one of the best right-hand waves in Europe and a natural stage for international competitions. For several years, it has hosted official stages of the World Surf League (WSL) , namely Qualifying Series (QS) and European Pro Junior events, which bring together some of the best surfers in the world and emerging young talents.
These events project Ericeira globally, with live broadcasts to millions of viewers through WSL platforms, and attract thousands of visitors to the town during the competition days. The impact goes far beyond the beach: hotels, restaurants, local businesses and services experience a significant increase in activity, consolidating the economic importance of these championships.
More than just a competition, the WSL's presence in Ericeira reinforces the town's status as an international destination of excellence for surfing, placing Ribeira d'Ilhas alongside other iconic spots on the world circuit.
