Yesterday we had a report from Italian surfer Robert D'Amico who, like all Italians, has been in a Covid-19 lockdown for over a week. Last night France introduced the same type of restrictions, joining Portugal and Spain. That means that surfing is effectively banned in those countries.
The French Minister of the Interior Christophe Castaner announced that, "It will be up to everyone to fill out a form to specify the nature of any trip, their destination and their reasons." Those who circulate must be able to justify their movement or face the risk of being fined from 38 to 135 euros.
He added that brief trips near home will also be tolerated and said that the public can practice physical activity or take out their dogs, but everyone will have to do it sparingly. So any surfers seeing a potential loophole in that sentence are probably misguided.
"I think if you can walk to the beach, it will be hard for police to tell the difference between jogging, walking the dog or going surfing," says Dave Mailman, an American expat who has lived in Hossegor for over 25 years. "But if the police stop you in your car with wet hair and your board on the roof, in my opinion, it's a direct fine. Also, if unfortunately you have any accident, I think the hospital may make you wait a very long time in your wetsuit in the emergency room before taking care of you!"
The same measures have been taken in Spain and Portugal. Kepa Acero, the noted Basque surf explorer, recently posted on Instagram a police car monitoring his local beach looking for anyone breaking the new quarantine restrictions. Like D'Amico, he is also strongly advocating the campaign to #StayAtHome.
Down in Portugal, it's a similar story as the general public and surfers come to grips with the new world order. "Tough times over here, everyone locked themselves at home, and no one is really leaving their houses," said Lisbon-based big-wave surfer Nic Von Rupp. "Beaches are closed, and they say for activities as well. I haven't seen the ocean so I don't know if it's true or not. But I'm respecting the procedure."
Although the forecast looks good for the next week at least, it seems most of Europe's best waves will largely go unridden. We will have more updates as they come to hand.
What Life Is Like As A European Surfer Right Now
Ben Mondy
Yesterday we had a report from Italian surfer Robert D'Amico who, like all Italians, has been in a Covid-19 lockdown for over a week. Last night France introduced the same type of restrictions, joining Portugal and Spain. That means that surfing is effectively banned in those countries.
The French Minister of the Interior Christophe Castaner announced that, "It will be up to everyone to fill out a form to specify the nature of any trip, their destination and their reasons." Those who circulate must be able to justify their movement or face the risk of being fined from 38 to 135 euros.
He added that brief trips near home will also be tolerated and said that the public can practice physical activity or take out their dogs, but everyone will have to do it sparingly. So any surfers seeing a potential loophole in that sentence are probably misguided.
"I think if you can walk to the beach, it will be hard for police to tell the difference between jogging, walking the dog or going surfing," says Dave Mailman, an American expat who has lived in Hossegor for over 25 years. "But if the police stop you in your car with wet hair and your board on the roof, in my opinion, it's a direct fine. Also, if unfortunately you have any accident, I think the hospital may make you wait a very long time in your wetsuit in the emergency room before taking care of you!"
The same measures have been taken in Spain and Portugal. Kepa Acero, the noted Basque surf explorer, recently posted on Instagram a police car monitoring his local beach looking for anyone breaking the new quarantine restrictions. Like D'Amico, he is also strongly advocating the campaign to #StayAtHome.
Down in Portugal, it's a similar story as the general public and surfers come to grips with the new world order. "Tough times over here, everyone locked themselves at home, and no one is really leaving their houses," said Lisbon-based big-wave surfer Nic Von Rupp. "Beaches are closed, and they say for activities as well. I haven't seen the ocean so I don't know if it's true or not. But I'm respecting the procedure."
Although the forecast looks good for the next week at least, it seems most of Europe's best waves will largely go unridden. We will have more updates as they come to hand.
Nic von Rupp
2022 Men's Biggest Tow In Nic Von Rupp at Nazare on January 8, 2022. Video from Benjamin Arena.
2022 Men's Biggest Tow Nominee In - Nic Von Rupp Video by Benjamin Arena Photo by Peter Turansky
2022 Men's Biggest Tow In Nic Von Rupp at Nazare on January 8, 2022. Video from Benjamin Arena.
L. Chianca vs. N. von Rupp vs. J. Dupont vs. T. Laureano vs. A. Cotton vs. W. Skudin
L. Chianca vs. N. von Rupp vs. J. Dupont vs. T. Laureano vs. A. Cotton vs. W. Skudin
Europe
We launched the European JQS in May in Morocco, here's everything that went down!
The world-famous Caraïbos Lacanau Pro, one of the oldest event on tour, continues to add to its legacy as it returns this summer in
Elter Clinches First-Ever WSL Win; Women's Title Stay in the Gonzalez Etxabarri Family
Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri and Tim Elter come out victorious at the 2023 Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca.
The event moves into the all-important two-surfer heats to decide the events semifinalists who'll fight for the crown on Sunday.