Since waves depend on unique and varied conditions, infrastucture projects can endanger waves in different ways by affecting any background conditions. For example, nearby commercial developments, such as buildings, can block winds or sediment flows that are crucial for wave formation. When such development occurs along the beach, it can also result in increasingly limited coastal access for the public, as private developers may unintentionally fail to accommodate access or even deliberately prevent it. For their part, infrastructure that is built in the water, such as fishing or recreational pier, can also block wave passage and wave trajectory. As many cas studies on this website will show, there are numerous examples of poorly planned infrastructure projects destroying precious surf zones around the world.

1.1 ÖFUS, ICELAND

In early Novemer 2023, the Öfus municipal council approved a plan to expand a harbor at a popular surfing spot near the capital of Reykjavík in order to accommodate larger vessels, such as cargo and cruise ships. The surfers caimed that the plan would destroy the iconic Thorlakshofn wave (Þorlákshöfn) characterized as Iceland's most popular and consistent wave, representing one of the only accessible point breaks in the country.

Surfers banded together to resist this proposal and created a petition to save the wave. Brimbrettafélag Íslands, the Icelandic surf association, is calling for a solution that balances harbor expansion with wave preservation, and emphasizes the cultural and economic benefits of the local surf economy.

1.2 OAXACA, MEXICO

In December 2018, the Mexican federal government announced its plan for the construction of an inter-oceanic ocrridor connecting the ports of Veracruz on the Atlantic coast and Oaxaca on the Pacific coast, which would involve the construction of new coastal infrastructure, including and industrail port in Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, where the celebrated Punta Conejo surf zone is located. In addition to being an internationally recognized surfing spot, Punta Conejo is also a crucial site for vulnerable and listed species, including leatherback and olive ridley turtles, and has significant local, cultural and economic value.

In partnership with environmental groups and local surfers, Save The Waves Coalition is advocating to stop the port construction and preserve the surf zone. It has launched a petition to the federal government to consider alternatives that would be less damaging to the Punta Conejo ecosystem, as well as to the local economies it supports.

1.3 CABO BLANCO, PERU

In the 1990s, the construction of a fishing pier at Cabo Blanco threatened to destroy the precious waves of this fishing cove located in Talara, Piura. In response, surfers organized themselves and founded the Peruvian Association for the Conservation of Waves. They filed an injuction to stop the construction of the pier based on the constitutional rights of all Peruvians to enjoy a healthy environment and sport.Although the court deemed the claim inadmissible, the action successfully attracted the attention of the revelant authorities. A negotiation ensued that resulted un a change in the position of the pier, which helped save the endangered breaker. Howeverm the surfers did not achieve everything they sought. The construction of the pier, although improved, still blocked some wave paths, which endangered those practicing sports in the area and prevented full ejoyment of the waves.

● Identify the project (the sooner the better)

● Seek legal and technical advice. Develop alternative techno¿ical options taht you can present to the relevant authorities.

● Contact the appropiate government office (ministry, municipality or others). Request information and propose alternatives that will prevent waves from being affected.

● Participate in the environmental impact study processes of the proposed infrastructura project.

● Consider seeking injunctive relief or other legal measures to halt ongoing activities through constituonal means or other actions.

• Sign the Brimbrettafélag Íslands petition to save Iceland's "best surfing spot"

• Sign the Save The Waves Coalition's petition here to protect the renowed Punta Conejo Surf zone in southern Oaxaca, Mexico, against the construction of a new industrial prot project.