The village of Ericeira, mailand Portugal, is now officially a World Surfing Reserve (WSR), becoming the second WSR overall and the first in Europe.

The Ericeira World Surfing Reserve was officially endorsed on October 14 by Portuguese President Aníbal Cavaco Silva and was acknowledged in the Portuguese National Assembly.

The President acknowledged the significance of preserving the surfing coastline for not only the thousands of Portuguese surfers, but also for the vitality of Portugal’s economy, the health of the coastal and marine environment, and maintaining a high quality of life for residents.

“When we talk of surfing at our beaches, we are talking about much more than a sport: we are evoking a lifestyle and a relationship with the sea that is very Portuguese, a relationship that is natural and ancestral,” the President stated. “The designation of Ericeira as a World Surfing Reserve should serve as an example to stimulate everyone to aspire to a more environmentally healthy country with an excellent standard of living.” He said.

Sportswear brand Nike have pulled out of a major sponsorship deal with surfing champion Charly Martin after he was caught in possession of a knife.

Martin, who is currently ranked as the third best surfer in the world, was fined £500 in Wick after he was stopped carrying a 4.5 inch cutlery knife.

Following the affair a Nike spokeswoman said: “Nike has ended its sponsorship of Charles Martin as a result of his recent conviction. We have no further comment.”

The star had set himself a goal of attaining “more maturity for myself and my surfing” during the 2010 season.

Martin has also secured sponsorship deals with Oakley sunglasses and surf wear label O’Neill.

President Aníbal Cavaco Silva of Portugal released a statement endorsing the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve, which will be officially dedicated as the first World Surfing Reserve on the European continent on October 14th, 2011. He acknowledged the significance of preserving the surfing coastline for not only the thousands of Portuguese surfers, but also for the vitality of Portugal’s economy, the health of the coastal and marine environment, and maintaining a high quality of life for residents.

“When we talk of surfing at our beaches, we are talking about much more than a sport: we are evoking a lifestyle and a relationship with the sea that is very Portuguese, a relationship that is natural and ancestral,” President Silva states. “The designation of Ericeira as a World Surfing Reserve should serve as an example to stimulate everyone to aspire to a more environmentally healthy country with an excellent standard of living.” *

The Ericeira coastline will officially be dedicated as a World Surfing Reserve on October 14th, 2011. The dedication ceremony will honor Ericeira’s unique surf history, culture, and environment.This ceremony will include a sunrise paddle out at Ribeira d’Ilhas followed by the official dedication event at the Parque de Santa Marta in Ericeira. More details about the dedication schedule and the event’s special touches will be made available in the next couple of days at worldsurfingreserves.org.