In order to strengthen the Dutch coast and protect the country the Dutch government developed a project. The Sand Engine, a huge deposit of sand. This would change the coastline for at least 15 years. The project will entail the deposition of massive quantities of sand along the Dutch coastline (approximately 20 million m3 in total) and the ‘Sand Engine’ will gradually erode and re-distribute naturally along the coastline under the influence of currents, waves and tides.
Concerned about possible negative effects, I got involved in this project that could represent an opportunity or a threat to surfers.With success, surfers got included as an official stakeholder and influenced decision-making.
Now it’s a great surfspot, but we continue the fight to guarantee access to this spot.