Save Þorlákshöfn waves!

For four years, Icelandic surfers have been fighting against a port expansion project that would destroy Thorli, Iceland’s iconic wave. Now, disturbing footage shows heavy machinery already moving rocks to dump into the ocean, marking the beginning of the destruction process.

The Surf & Nature Alliance stands in solidarity with BBFÍ (The Icelandic Surf Association) and the local community of Þorlákshöfn, Iceland, as they fight to protect Thorli—the country’s best surf break—from being destroyed by an impending landfill project.

The Battle for Thorli

📍 Þorlákshöfn (Thorli) – Southwest coast of Iceland
🌊 300-meter right-hand point break (unique in the country)
⚠️ Port Project Plans: Filling in the inside of the wave to build a landfill, effectively erasing the wave

Why Thorli Matters

Thorli is more than just a wave. On a rugged coastline where surfable waves are rare, this enclave boasts a wave of exceptional quality, a unique and precious element, a natural heritage site, a strategic sustainable resource, with great socioeconomic, sporting, cultural, and environmental value. The heart of a growing surfing community, offers Icelanders and visitors an inexhaustible source of leisure, well-being, and connection with nature that should be preserved as a legacy for future generations. As companies and powerful industrial interests move forward with a monstrous development of the Icelantic coast, this irreplaceable natural wonder is being covered underneath an inexplicable and senseless landfill.

Community Actions

12,500 signatures collected since 2021
Daily peaceful protests at the site, blocking machinery
Legal lawsuit against the authorities for approving the project without an Environmental Impact Assessment
Alternative proposals submitted (ignored by the government)

Current Situation: Race Against Time

📢 “We’ve secured a temporary 1-2 week pause thanks to our legal appeal, but if we fail, destruction could resume IMMEDIATELY.” – @crosswave_north

💶 Urgent Crowdfunding

Goal: €15,000 (to hire Iceland’s top lawyer, fund independent scientific studies, and launch media campaigns)
Raised so far: €5,800 (Not even 40%!)
🔗 [Donate to the Icelandic Surf Association here before April 15]

4 Key Reasons to Protect Thorli

1️⃣ Blue Heritage: The wave is a strategic resource for the local community, not just ecologically, but as a driver of sustainable tourism, jobs, and marine conservation (currently ignored by the government).
2️⃣ Critical Scarcity: It’s the ONLY consistent wave in Iceland.
3️⃣ Cultural Connection: Future generations would lose a deep bond with the ocean.
4️⃣ Olympic Potential: The best training ground for an Icelandic surfer dreaming of competing at the highest level.

While we provide strategic support through our Manifesto for the Protection of Waves, a scientific and academic resource designed to help policymakers understand the true value of waves and serve as strategic support for local efforts, the Icelandic community urgently needs financial backing.

7 things you can do to help:

Donate (we prioritize their donations)
🔗 Support their crowdfunding campaign here (ending April 15th).
Sign their petition: https://chng.it/nSvr2Bnzyk
Share 📢 #SaveThorli
Follow @brimbrettafelagislands @crosswave_north @marczotes
Learn more – https://www.crosswave.is/savethewave and watch their film Aldan Okkar Allra:

Surf & Nature Alliance is an NGO dedicated to marine conservation, focusing on surf breaks, coastal ecosystems, and ocean literacy. #WeAreWhatWeProtect