The forceful and illegal privatization of the access road leading to Playa El Encuentro in Cabarete, the country’s best surfing beach, is affecting the development of the OP LatinPro (October-November) and Cocopipe Masters (September) surfing competition, says Ricardo Ripoll, president of the Puerto Plata Surfing Association (ASPP).
For the competitions, leading teams come, says Ricardo Ripoll, who added that competitors come for extended stays. He said that for the events, hundreds of world class competitors and international sports press come from abroad and visit in a low season period, helping the economy. In addition to making contributions to help local competitors improve their competition level, international competitors also make social contributions to the community.
Ripoll says that the events are affected given the mistreatment on behalf of uniformed personnel that follow orders of the owners and management of establishments that are restricting free access to the beach.
He said that the organizers of the international events have expressed their concern over whether it would be better to suspend the events, but he says they were able to convince them to go ahead with plans. Ripoll is hopeful that free access to the beach will be restored.
He said that free access to the beach is essential for the celebration of the international competitions. ASPP is at present negotiating the celebration of two world class competitions of utmost importance for tourism in the Dominican Republic and the sport of surfing here.
Those who would like to express their support to the move against the restrictions to access to the Dominican Republic’s leading surfers beach can do so by visiting the web site of the Puerto Plata Surfer’s Association at http://www.asocaiciondesurfingdepuertoplata.com
The support will enable community organizers to declare the area a Eco-Touristic Sports Park.
In yesterday’s news release on the access problems to the beach, a wrong email was used. The correct email to contact the Association is aspp2@hotmail.com
For background information on the case, see http://www.dr1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39556