The Portuguese Surfing Federation, the National Surfers Association and the World Surf League asked the Government and the President of the Republic to allow surfers to return to the sea, as of May 3rd, «in an unequivocal, ungrouped and regulated manner».
In this letter, which was also sent to Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, President of the Assembly of the Republic, the subscribers say that surfers should return to the sea, "as long as we all comply and enforce a set of some simple and clear principles."
In the letter, these principles are defined: surfers, in addition to presenting themselves on the beach, with "one or more surfboards, bodyboard, longboard, bodysurf or SUP, rubber suit and/or other necessary technical accessories", must do so. it “in an individual and ungrouped manner, with the exception of households”.
As for access to the sea, "it must be done individually, on foot or by car, respecting a maximum limit of two people per vehicle (except for households), and by ungrouped and dispersed initiative with minimum distances of four meters from each other ».
"If the barriers that limit the access, permanence and movement of people on beaches and maritime promenades are maintained, corridors of direct access to the sea must be created".
There must also be, on the part of surfers, "comprehensive respect for not staying on the beach and other adjacent areas."
Surfers must also limit their physical activity “to one session at sea, of up to 90 minutes, not being allowed to stay, stay or socialize on the beach, on boardwalks or car parks”.
In the letter, the subscribers also address a “later” phase, linked to the reopening of surf schools and the holding of events, something that should only happen depending on the evolution of the pandemic.
Even so, the surfers' return to sea recommendations «have an urgent assessment by the authorities and should also be the object of a civic commitment by the surfing community, allowing for a gradual return, primarily in the field of physical activity. and individual well-being and, later, with regard to economic activities», concludes the letter.
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