The World Surfing Reserve of Ericeira, in Portugal, is fired up after a decision by the local authorities to close the historical surf camp of Ribeira d'Ilhas.
Dozens of surfers have protested against the close and expropriation of the iconic surf camp located in front of the famous European wave.
"This is an invasion of private property. I do not think we're in a communist state - the Town Hall has invoked public interest to build a business center worse than what is here”, said José Maria Pyrrait, a local surf coach.
The Town Hall of Mafra decided to shut down the surf camp - where beginners learn to surf and spend holidays - so that the entire beachfront area can be improved.
"Take your cabinets. Do not destroy our beach" and "Destroy, destroy, destroy" were some of the posters held up by the local surfing community. The projected surf business center looks like this:
Eddie Vedder, the star of Pearl Jam, has protested against the shutdown of the Ribeira d'Ilhas surf camp, while playing live at the Sudoeste Music Festival, held in the south of Portugal.
Vedder sang "Keep on Surfing in a Free World", an adaptation of a song by Neil Young. The Ericeira World Surfing Reserve was formally dedicated on October 14th, 2011. Discover the best surf camps in the world.