Sydney surfers launch bid to NSW parliament to overturn electric board restrictions on city waterways

A push to allow electric surfboards on city waterways has sparked calls by some campaigners for similar rules that allow e-bikes to be extended to Sydney’s beaches.

A push to allow electric efoil surfboards on Sydney’s beaches and waterways has sparked a petition to state parliament as surfers launch a bid to overturn strict limits put in place amid concerns the boards could lead to catastrophic collisions with swimmers.

Almost 300 people have put their name to a petition campaign calling for an overhaul on legislation that limits “guillotine” like hydrofoil boards on most Sydney beaches and harbour waterways.

The sport, which became popular in 2019, involves riders mounting a board fitted with a bladelike aerodynamic hydrofoil that extends beneath the water.

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.

The popularity of the sport has fuelled debate over the suitability of boards at heavily populated Sydney beaches with several coastal councils putting in measures to limit the use of the boards.

The boards in action.

Jaime Wesley.

But Jaime Wesley, who runs the electric hydrofoil surf school Fliteschool in Manly and spearheaded the petition, believes there is an argument for the current limits to be relaxed.

“It’s a growing sport, but at the moment foilboards are treated essentially the same way as jet skis,” he said.

The boards have grown in popularity over the last five years.

“The restrictions apply to the majority of waterways in Sydney and it means a lot of people have to travel up to one or two hours just to be able to take part in the sport.

“We’re really hoping the government will listen and consider coming up with new regulations to balance the sport with any safety concerns.

“Because the boards are electric, there could be similar rules in e-bikes where boards could be geofenced which would address any of the safety concerns around boards going to shallow or in ferry paths.”

Transport for NSW in a statement said current regulations mean efoils were not permitted in Sydney Harbour’s Personal Watercraft Exclusion Zone unless a specific exemption is obtained.

Current limits apply to areas of Sydney including Bondi.

They must also not be operated between sunset and sunrise and fines of up to $1000 can apply for offences.

Waverley Council – which prohibits foilboarding at beaches including Bondi – in a statement said the boards were a safety risk for swimmers.

“Council’s lifeguard services monitors any use and we encourage the public to report unsafe hydrofoil use at our beaches to NSW Maritime,” a council spokesman said.

The petition – which has been tabled to the NSW parliament lower house – argues a change in laws would recognise the “increasing safe use of foilboarding will benefit all users of waterways throughout NSW and specifically Sydney Harbour”.