After nearly 18 months of negotiations between ASMAA (Algarve Surf and Marine Activities Association), the AESCV (Associacao de Escolas da Costa Vicentina) and Lagos Capitania, a more fair licence process has been established in 2014 for the issuing of licences to any interested Surf Schools in the Western Algarve.
The new by-laws replace a previous biased law that had been motivated by the association AESCV - without proper consultation with the sector having taken place - and which resulted in only an exclusive small number of surf schools, members of AESCV benefiting from access to three beaches in the Costa Vicentina for approximately 3 years.
ASMAA thanks Commandant Carvalho Pinto for his patience, open mind and fairness displayed during the prolonged negotiation process.
In the new rules, surf corridors of 50 metres were established; school lessons are restricted to two hours per session and with a maximum of 24 students per session.
Corridors can also be shared by licensed surf schools so long as the total number does not exceed 24. In addition, temporary licences can also be applied for by other surf schools that operate traditionally in other parts of Portugal or in Europe for surf-trips to the beaches of the Algarve.
The beaches have been divided into 4 groups of beaches:
Group A (Arrifana and Amoreira beaches),
Group B (Amado and Cordoama beaches),
Group C (Odeceixe / Monte clérigo / Vale figueiras / Bordeira / Castelejo / Ponta Ruiva / Beliche / Tonel / Mareta / Barranco / Zavial / Cabanas Velhas / Burgau / Luz / Porto de mós / Meia Praia de Lagos.) and
Group D (Vale dos Homens / Carriagem / Canal / Murração / Barriga / Telheiro / Baleeira / Martinhal / Ingrina / Furnas / Figueira / Salema / Boca do Rio / Canavial / Camilo / Dona Ana / Pinhão / Batata)
Only 8 licences per group will be allocated to Groups A and Group B.
Group C will have a total of 36 licences during the bathing season, increasing to 50 for the rest of the year.
Group D is a protected group of beaches, meaning no surf lessons by surf schools will be allowed in any of its beaches during the bathing season.
Licences will be awarded on the 6 of April 2014 to the successful applying surf schools. Licences will be effective from 1 May 2014 to 30 April 2015.
There is a focus on upping the level of professionalism of surf school instructors whereby proper qualifications are required including valid first aid training.
International qualifications need to be recognised by the IPDJ (Instituto Portugues de Desporto e Juventude) – currently there’s a moratorium on recognition of qualifications until the IPDJ implements the new EU guidelines for recognition of international instructors and coaches certification. The Capitania de Lagos is on top of this process and applying surf schools whose international qualifications can’t be recognised yet will not be penalised in their application process.
All in all, although there’s still some room for improvement we at ASMAA believe that the new by-laws are a step in the right direction – namely, improving the image and professionalism of surf schools offering services to tourists and locals in the Algarve.
The Capitania de Lagos is complemented on the manner that they’ve dealt with this sensitive issue!
