The Sand Engine (De Zandmotor)
Surfrider Foundation Hollandwww.surfriderfoundation.nlMartijn van Schaik [email protected]
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