On 26 May 2026, the Polytechnic of Leiria, School of Tourism and Maritime Technology, hosted the V Meeting Desportos na Areia: Active, Sustainable and Inclusive Coastal Learning Festival in Peniche, Portugal. The event brought together around 220 participants, including students, adult learners, staff members, Erasmus participants, local partners, and community members for a full day of beach sports, sustainability activities, and shared learning.
The festival transformed the coastal environment of Praia do Molhe Leste into an immersive learning space where sport and Education for Sustainable Development came together in practice. Participants took part in a wide programme that included beach volleyball, beach football, surf and bodyboard, yoga, traditional dances, and other recreational activities, alongside sustainability-focused actions such as Eco Team Building, recycling and circular economy challenges, plastic reuse demonstrations, and environmental awareness games.
One of the highlights of the day was the strong connection between active participation and reflection on sustainability. Through the Eco Team Building activity and other environmental challenges, participants explored topics such as marine conservation, coastal protection, recycling, and responsible behaviour in natural spaces. The event showed how beach and water-related sports can be used not only for physical activity, but also as meaningful settings for learning, cooperation, and environmental responsibility.
The Peniche festival is a great example of how SUSTAIN-A-WAVE turns water sports into innovative learning spaces for Education for Sustainable Development, community engagement, and inclusive participation.
