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Save the Waves and the surfers of Madeira
scored their first victory in 2001 when
they successfully lobbied the government
of Madeira to move a marina away from
the right point known as Lugar de Baixo.
First surfed in 1994 by Sam George, one-time
editor of Surfer Magazine, the point
was briefly named “Sammyland” until
the locals claimed it as their own. The
perfect, hollow point break was situated
exactly where the government had planned
to build a large marina. Save the Waves
joined forces with Portuguese environmental
groups Cosmos and Quercus, and through
an intense media campaign and lobbying
effort, convinced the government to move
the marina to a nearby bay.
The victory was bittersweet, however.
The government broke its promise to leave
the area unaltered, and hastily constructed
a seawall along the shore to protect
an adjacent shopping complex development.
While the wave remains, backwash has
severely compromised its quality. It
was a major loss for Madeiran surfers,
as it is the nearest rideable wave to
the capital of Funchal, and one of the
only places on the island that produces
a wave that beginners can tackle.
Save the Waves continues to work towards
a solution in Lugar de Baixo. The reef
is mostly unaltered, and if the seawall
were to be redesigned, the wave could
be restored to its former glory. Please
help Save the Waves in this effort by sending
a donation, which will go towards
the effort to repair the damage that
has been done.
Recently, the marina that was built in Lugar de Baixo was damaged by large swell, and for the second winter in a row was badly damaged and closed to boats. To read more about this, and to see photos and video, click here.
Recent News: Marina in Lugar de Baixo Takes a Beating
click here for pictures and video
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