During Autumn 2023, a selected group of “blue communities” from France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, will host a series of European Blue Surf Festivals.
The festivals will combine sporting activities, cultural events and educational seminars.
Blue Surf Festivals as well as promoting inclusion, sustainability and surf culture, aim to further develop and promote the work of the INCLUSEA Network on developing common European adaptive surf methodologies.
All Blue Surf Festivals will include a wide range of different surf related activities aimed at community building, such as inclusive surf competitions and demonstrations, together with a mix of related community seminars and events.
The events, targeted to raise awareness at local and regional levels, will highlight the benefits of surfing for physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Using a community based approach, the events will build networks between surf athletes, coaches, volunteers and diverse members of the local surf communities from each participating country, together with their families and other sports organisations and stakeholders.
The project aims to reach 40,000 individuals throughout Europe over the lifetime of the project. It will involve up to 900 athletes in local adaptive and inclusive ‘Blue Surf Festivals’ supported by up to 600 volunteers and reaching out to relevant stakeholders and local decision makers.
The project aims to leave a legacy beyond the ‘Blue Surf Festival’ events. A series of documents, events and networks will be developed during the project with a transnational and replicable approach, with the aim of supporting further development in the field of inclusive and adaptive surfing. Partners will share project achievements and learnings in a final event alongside the development of specific documents that will further support the replicability of these sporting events.
The leading partner is the Regional Society of Education, Culture and Sports, a public body of the Government of Cantabria, Spain, responsible for the development of cultural and sports programmes, with a focus towards the promotion of inclusion, gender equality, and sustainability in sports and culture.
www.srecd.es
SCV is a non-profit surfing association that develops recreational and competitive sporting activities, alongside the promotion of health, well-being and inclusiveness in sport.
www.surfingviana.com
HS aims to support participation in surfing for all people with disabilities throughout France and beyond. It promotes social inclusion and access to autonomy and health, through the medium of surfing.
www.handi-surf.org
Liquid Therapy provides inclusive and adaptive Surf and Ocean Therapy for individuals with Physical, Mental, Emotional, Behavioural and intellectual challenges.
www.liquidtherapy.ie
DWV, is the non-governmental umbrella organization of German Surfing Federation. It is responsible for the promotion and development of adaptive surfing in Germany.
wellenreitverband.de
FISW a national association for surf clubs and supports the development of adaptive surfing in Italy, including coordinating activities and development of the Italian national Adaptive Surf team.
www.scinautico.com
Sociedad Regional de Educación, Cultura y Deporte
C/ Gamazo, s/n. 39004 Santander
Cantabria, Spain
