Waverley Council proposal to ban surfers from North Bondi makes waves
AMATEUR surfers and pros could be forced to fight for the same waves at the southern end of Bondi if a Waverley council proposal to ban finned surf craft from North Bondi gains traction.
Wentworth Courier
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AMATEUR surfers and pros could be forced to fight for the same waves at the southern end of Bondi if a Waverley council proposal to ban finned surf craft from North Bondi gains traction.
Councillors unanimously decided back at the March 20 meeting to consult beach stakeholders on a number of “beach amenity and safety” suggestions including the “potential for the introduction of flagged buffer zones on either side (of the flags) to preclude surf craft boards (with a fin)”.
The issue came to a head this week after council officers began circulating an online survey which asked respondents if they would support restricting all finned surf craft to the southern end.
Bondi Boardriders slammed the move, urging their social media followers to give their feedback to council.
“There is currently talk from council (about) making all surf crafts with fins only usable in the South end,” the club wrote.
“This would include nippers, soft boards, surf skies, stand up paddle boards, paddle boards etc.
“If they agree with the proposal there will be nowhere for our kids to learn about the ocean other than sticking them with hundreds of surfers on glass boards with kooks mowing them down.”
Council noted they were simply trying to balance interests of a vast array of “competing user groups”.
“These groups include but are not limited to: bathers, body surfers, bay swimmers, body board riders, kids learning to surf, soft board surfers, fibreglass board surfers, long board surfers, stand up paddle board riders, nippers, Bondi Surf Club training groups, North Bondi Surf Club training groups, Learn to Surf commercial operator, and fitness groups,” the survey reads.
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“A recent Council motion has asked for the investigation into the possible introduction of buffer zones on either side of the flags. This means establishing a no go zone of approximately 20m either side of the flags at the north and south flagged bathing areas.
“The idea behind this is to make a large buffer between any soft board riders and the swimmers to reduce the risk of injury to bathers. Displaced surfers would need to move to an alternative break.”
However, council also recognised the vast majority of people in the water at Bondi do not swim between the flags and so the change could create more carnage.
“Disadvantages of introducing buffer zones include: We increase the risk of injury to 84 per cent of users outside the flags as a result of congestion with surf craft,” the survey reads.
“(And) we increase rescues and responses from lifeguards and surf life savers based on the increased risk of injury.”
Want to see why it’s making waves? See the survey for yourself: www.surveymonkey.com/r/risk_review_2018