A Locals Nightmare in Portugal| World Surfing Reserve opens futuristic ‘Interpretation Centre’ to teach tourists about every local wave

After spending a few weeks living and surfing in Ericeira, Portugal a couple years back I found it comical that the government posted official tourist signs to guide visitors to all the world famous waves in the area. Where nearly every other spot in the world is trying to hide under the radar, Portugal went and blew them all up making sure that every kooky tourist would know where to paddle out. Locals must have been fuming at first.

Now Ericeira, as Europe’s first and only World Surfing Reserve, has one-upped even that. They’ve opened up a full tourist Interpretation centre as part of the tourism office renovation, so that non-locals can learn the intricate details about every wave. Showing even live conditions and what break works on the current tide and wind and swell direction. WHAT!!! Is it such a crazy idea that it might just work? Doing the exact opposite of traditional localism.

It looks like a cleanly designed place to have a coffee in the cafe though and as a special thank you for making the waves forever more crowded, Portugal’s greatest surfer ever Tiago Pires graced the opening with his presence.

 

“Its main objective is to present and explain the reserve and its main attributes: the 7 waves and their characteristics, the biosphere, the meteorological composition, the flora and fauna and the facilities. The detailed visualisation of data about the natural characteristics and surf conditions of the area is made possible by the close interweaving of design and technology. Via an innovative interactive video-mapping system combined with customized apps the visitors can explore this information in an accessible way. This is a milestone in terms of the transmission of complex geographical, meteorological and oceanographic data in surf reserves.

An interactive interpretation centre meeting surfers’ needs

The Interpretation Centre gives valuable insight into the best surfing spots. Several means of communication show for each wave the best conditions regarding the tide, wind and swell based on past meteorological information. Furthermore, the characteristics of the seabed, wave and break are also given, and visitors can explore the biosphere (climate, vegetation and species) and the facilities of the area.

Interviews were held with surfers, inhabitants and visitors. These testimonials, containing experiences, advices and tricks, can be seen in the Interpretation Centre as well. Furthermore, the Centre provides up to date information regarding wave height, strength and intensity.

Ericeira – World Surfing Reserve

Ericeira is the first World Surfing Reserve in Europe and the second one in the world. This was officially awarded by the U.S. organization Save the Waves Coalition in 2011. The selection criteria for this notification comprise of: the quality and consistency of waves in terms of surfing, support of the local community, the protection of natural resources and to what extent it enhances the international recognition of the heritage.

 

 

See more at Transworld Biz, Ericeira Mag and Experimentadesign who created the design/identity of the whole concept.