Hydrofoil surfing ban proposed by Randwick, Waverley Councils

It’s the latest trend taking the surfing world by storm. But two Sydney councils are teaming up to potentially ban it - despite no record of any injuries. Now surfers are fighting back.

The latest trends to take the surfing world by storm could soon be banned on eastern suburbs beaches due to concerns over collisions with swimmers.

Randwick and Waverley Councils have joined forces to consider a partial or full ban on hydrofoiling on all swimming spots between Vaucluse in the north to La Perouse in the south.

The sport, which emerged in popularity in 2019, involves riders mounting a board fitted with an aerodynamic hydrofoil that extends beneath the water.

The aerodynamic hydrofoil can be seen below the board

Once in motion, the foil lifts the board off the surface of the water, allowing surfers to take to the waves in flat seas and even surf multiple waves one after the other.

Since its arrival on the surfing scene, the sport has been at the centre of continued debate over its suitability at heavily populated beaches.

Hydrofoils also made headlines when Today co-host Allison Langdon was hospitalised after falling from a hydrofoil board while filming a segment on the Gold Coast last year.

Hydrofoiling is described as an experience like 'flying on water'.

Randwick Council said it was working with Waverley Council on the proposed ban to protect the safety of the public on the region’s busy beaches.

“The proposal was prompted by ongoing safety concerns being raised by members of the public and Randwick Council beach lifeguards in regards to foil boards being used on heavily populated beaches in the local government area,” the council said.

Hydrofoil surfer Jeremy Wilmotte pictured at Maroubra Beach. Picture: Damian Shaw

“In addition to this, the NSW Local Government Coastal Safety Group also confirmed their collective concern about the safety of foil boards being used in areas with swimmers, bathers and beach users.”

Waverley Council – which already has an unofficial ban of the sport in place – said there were safety risks posed by their high speed of boards and the “metal-like keel” that raises them out of the water.

Councils have raised safety concerns over the sport.

“We do not have any reported instances of injuries involving these boards due to the low volume of foil boarders visiting our beaches (but) council is aware of injuries at other beaches/waterways caused by foil boards that have resulted in significant trauma and casualty,” a council spokeswoman said.

Hydrofoil surfers (L-R) Mario Lisbona, Jordan Gilbert, Jeremy Wilmotte, Joshua Ku and Jesmond Dubeau pictured at Maroubra Beach. Picture: Damian Shaw

Maroubra-based surfer Jeremy Wilmotte has hit back against claims the sport poses a danger, saying the boards are safe in the hands of seasoned surfers.

“For the last three years I’ve been foiling and there’s about 15 of us who go out first thing in the morning when the flags are not up,” he said.

“It’s not something where you can just buy a board and try to go and catch waves, it’s an expensive sport to get involved with and you have to know what you’re doing – that in itself mitigates the risk.

“The whole idea of a ban seems to be just about liability – if someone tripped over on the beach they’d probably try and ban sand if they could.

“Because it’s a new sport and hasn’t become mainstream, I think it’s a case where it’s not properly acceptable and the easy option is just to ban it.

“At the end of the day I’m not aware of any incident where anyone’s been injured. We’ve proven we can do it safely.”

The ban would apply to local beaches including Maroubra.

Randwick Council said a partial ban would only allow the use of hydrofoil boards at times when beaches are not patrolled by lifeguards.

It would also carry conditions that surfers “engage in the sport at their own risk” and keep a 60m distance from all other people or non-powered vessels.

The complete ban would outlaw the sport on all beaches in the city’s east, regardless of whether lifeguards are on patrol or not.

Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club president Danny Donohoe had mixed thoughts on a blanket ban.

“The boards are dangerous and if one of those hits you you’d come off second best,” he said.

“If it ever got to the point where everyone’s out there you’d have to ban it but at the moment I think it’s an overreach.”

A Randwick Council spokeswoman said both councils are creating reports on the proposed bans and would seek consultation with Surfing NSW and board riders before any decision is made.

Waverley Council said its current practice was to inform beach users with foil surfboards upon arrival that they are not permitted for use or to instruct the user to remove them from the water once lifeguard patrols commence.

A joint letter signed by Maroubra-based hydrofoilers has urged Randwick Council to reconsider the proposal and visit the beach in person to see the boards in action.

“We can then start a discussion around when, and in what parts of the beach we can surf,” the letter adds.

The final say on the proposal is expected to be determined later this year.