The Sand Engine (De Zandmotor)

Surfrider Foundation Hollandwww.surfriderfoundation.nlMartijn van Schaik martijn@surfriderfoundation.nl

Coastal development and beach replenishments Not only a problem Focus on opportunities & chances

God created the world but the Dutch created Holland

Holland below sea level Long history of coastal strengthening Need for beach replenishment

Innovative pilot project Using natural processes, the sea is an

ally (building with nature) Currents, waves and wind erode and

re-distribute sand

21,5 million m3 of sand added 100 hectares to start Safer due to wider beach & higher

dunes

The Sand Engine (Zandmotor)

Finally a pointbreak in Holland? Diversify the coastline Beach closer to deeper water Recreational area Less impact on the environment

Opportunities

Negative experiences with beach replenishments Existing sandbars dissappear Influence on other surfspots located nearby No access (nature reserve)? Temporary & uncertain effects

Threaths

Goal; Maximizing surfing conditions and getting access

How; Proactive Taskforce with the Holland Surfing Association and Kitesurf Association, using

external advisors on morphology & modeling Role in the process:

Stakeholder representing all surfers (wave, wind, kite) Advising government Influence the decision making

Getting involved

Awareness of decision making processes Timing; when to get involved Time consuming and bureaucratic Fear Lack of commitment from the government institutions Slow decision making so less results Little influence on final design Surfing/recreation VS nature interests Positive result as a small stakeholder in a huge project

Lessons learned

Results

Results

Great surf spot with no official access yet Experience for future projects Learned to be more proactive and to be included in

the process earlier Surfing included in policy SFH got included as commission member and in an

advising board in a new project Policy makers aware of surfers as stakeholder