Losing this gem would be tragic. Photo: Steinarr Lár
For the past four years, Icelandic surfers have been campaigning to stop a port expansion that would destroy the country’s most iconic point break. Despite their efforts, video shows the destruction process has already begun as heavy machinery began moving rocks to be dumped into the wave.
The wave in question is Þorlákshöfn – ‘Thorli’ for short. It’s located on the southwest coast of Iceland and features a right-hand point that can run for 300 meters. The plans to expand the port include filling in the inside of the wave to create new land for storage buildings and warehouses. To oppose the port plans, locals launched a petition in 2021 that has garnered nearly 12,500 signatures
“The local community continues to hold peaceful protest at the water’s edge, blocking the machines from dumping rocks,” read an Instagram post on the page @crosswave_north. “There is a lawsuit beginning against the Icelandic authorities who approved the project without forcing the developers to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment. Vibes are high despite the brutal winter weather – all are welcome to join the party down on the rocks!”
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The Surf Association of Iceland has also launched a crowdfunder requesting €15,000 for legal support, expert and environmental wave studies, and community advocacy. So far they have raised nearly €3,000. According to the crowdfunder, a temporary pause on work of one to two weeks was granted after their legal appeal and three days of protest. However, if unsuccessful, they note that the destruction could resume any day.
The locals have a list of grievances with the project that include the government’s inability to understand the sustainable economic benefits that a surf spot provides, the general scarcity of surf spots in Iceland that make the preservation of a consistent point break even more crucial, missing an opportunity to strengthen Icelanders’ connection with the sea, and – in surfing’s Olympic era – ruining the best wave that could produce a future Olympic surfer.
In conjunction with environmental consultants, the Surfing Association of Iceland suggested alternative locations to house the storage buildings that wouldn’t affect the wave. But it appears their proposals were not taken into consideration.
“This wave is our baby, the heart of Icelandic surfing,” said Icelandic surfer Elin Signy. “We care if someone is throwing rocks at our baby.”
