Norah Head set for National Surfing Reserve title

It’s been 16 months in the making but a popular beach on the Central Coast is set to become a National Surfing Reserve in May 2022.

Norah Head will become the Central Coast’s first National Surfing Reserve (NSR).

The stunning coastline from Hargraves Beach to Pelican Point has been given the initial tick of approval for the NSR status by the National Surfing Reserve Board with the final stages underway.

The stunning stretch of coastline will become Australia’s 21st NSR, with 10 currently in NSW including Killalea, Cronulla, Bondi and North Narrabeen.

Norah Head National Surfing Reserve Executive Committee secretary Jill Secomb said they were 16 months into the process with plans to have the NSR status and a dedication ceremony within six months.

A NSR title is not just about surfing but all water sports. Picture: Peter Clark

Drone image of Norah Head taken by Central Coast photographer Andrew Cooney.

“It has been a very challenging process during Covid as we work with Aunty Bronwyn Chambers and the Traditional Owners of Norah Head and record the rich surfing history of our unique area and satisfy the criteria for NSR status,” Ms Secomb said.

“We hope to be given National Surfing Reserve status by May 2022 and celebrate with a Dedication Ceremony at Soldiers Beach.”

It has been an lengthy process with the highly dedicated committee, including chair Debbie McGuigan who had the initial idea.

They had to initially satisfy three main criteria including the quality of the waves, a place considered sacred by the local surfing community and long term usage of the beach and wave environment.

The Matt Barron Memorial Bodyboarding Contest at Soldiers Beach in 2019. Picture: Sue Graham

The Newcastle Permanent Junior Ironperson event has been hosted at Soldiers Beach. Picture: Troy Snook

Norah Head has surfing history dating back to the 1950s and a fishing history dating back to the late 1800s. It has two board riding clubs, a surf lifesaving club, a surf school, as well as fishing and diving clubs.

The committee are now putting the final touches on its Booklet Submission, designing a plaque for the dedication and finalising more than 40 letters of support from all stakeholders such as board riding groups, local MPs, Crown Lands and Central Coast Council.

They have received support and funding from Dobell federal Labor MP Emma McBride and Wyong state Labor MP David Harris and have also raised funds through the sale of T-shirts.

The stunning coastline at Norah Head. Picture: Nelson Vunisa.

Ms Secomb aid the status wasn’t solely about surfing but protection of the beach and shoreline along with celebration of the area’s rich history.

“It’s also about all water sports and being inclusive,” she said.

“We have got involved with Soldiers Beach Surf Life Saving Club reporting their history as well as Coast Care’s work protecting the shoreline.”

Ms Secomb said the words “share, protect and preserve” would appear on the plaque.

Once an area is classified as a NSR, it can start the process of looking at becoming a World Surfing Reserve such as Manly Beach in Sydney.