Byron Shire Council ticks off on implementing new surfing leg rope safety regulations

Byron Bay surfers could soon be stung with big fines for not wearing a leg rope. But boardriders “are a rebellious breed” and some believe the new rules will fall flat.

A surfer on the beach at Byron Bay. File image. Picture: Nathan Edwards

Byron Shire council has voted unanimously in favour of implementing new regulation to enforce the use of leg ropes for surfing, with fines of up to $1100.

Councillor Cate Coorey successfully put the motion to the council at its meeting on Thursday to curb the number on injuries caused by boardriding mishaps.

It comes after former pro surfer Matt Cassidy suffered a life-threatening injury from a stray longboard in February.

Neil Cameron, president of Byron Bay Boardriders Club, backed wearing a leg rope and said it was “important”.

“But they weren’t invented to stop accidents, they were there to stop surfers losing their boards,” he said.

“90 per cent of accidents still happen from their own board, the fin and nose-chops.

“Surfers are a rebellious breed – some just aren’t going to wear a leg rope.

“All walks of life don’t wear a leg rope.

Byron Bay Boardriders president Neil Cameron. Picture: Liana Boss

“Bringing in a law about it is like the law for drink driving – people still do it.”

Mr Cameron said enforcing the new rules would likely be “an exercise in futility”.

“In a perfect world everyone wears a leg rope and no one gets hurt, but it’s not a perfect world,” he said.

He said The Pass at Byron was the busiest break on the North Coast and somewhat similar to Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast.

“All levels of ability are out here, from learners through to pros,” he said.

“My advice is if you don’t want to get run over stay away from the take off zone and stay wide when paddling out.”

However, fellow Byron surfer and former pro Danny Wills said leg rope rules were a good move.

Danny Wills in action back in 2006.

“I think it’s a great and necessary idea,” he said.

“There is far too many surfers that are not experienced enough to surf without a leg rope.

“It makes it extremely dangerous for everyone in the line up and countless injuries can be prevented by just a simple leg rope.”

A leg rope for a surfboard. Picture: Anthony Reginato

Ms Coorey said before the meeting: “This issue has been brought to our attention yet again with the recent, serious accident at Broken Head involving an out-of-control surfboard with no leg rope attached striking another surfer.”

She said the council could enforce the use of leg ropes under the Local Government Act.

“If we provide signage at key entry points to the beach, then there is justification to issue a fine,” Ms Coorey said.

She said Mr Cassidy’s injuries were preventable with enforcement and community education.

Former Pro surfer Matt Cassidy suffered a life-threatening injury from a stray longboard in February.

Mr Cassidy previously called for an end to the “hipster” trend of surfing without leg ropes.

“Most guys who don’t wear leg ropes are posers,” he said.

Mr Cassidy said there was not a surfer he knew that could ride a whole session without losing their board and it was a “selfish act” not to wear a rope.

A surfer from Ballina in the Northern Rivers, who asked not to be named, said the waves were increasingly busy at Byron.

Byron Shire Councillor Cate Coorey.

“There definitely needs to be leg ropes in Byron,” he said.

“There are heaps of people from all over the world there that are learning, have no idea or etiquette and don’t know what they’re doing.”

He said without a “leggy” it was “bloody dangerous”.

The council said it would be difficult to prove who was not wearing a leg rope and it would cost around $20,800 to erect new signs at the shire’s 26 beach access points.

Mr Cassidy being taken into an ambulance.

Ms Coorey said the regulation of leg ropes could be undertaken when compliance officers were already working near beaches.

“In the same way that issuing fines to dog owners is not without its challenges, it nevertheless should not preclude us from finding ways to create an enforcement notice and take enforcement action to show that we mean it,” she said.

The leg rope issue has been circling in Byron for years as the tourist hub continues to thrive.

Ms Coorey said regulation was “a long-held wish of residents and surfers”.