Five biggest issues in Coast surfing

Surf Scene delivers part two of its countdown of the 10 biggest issues in Coast surfing.

SURF Scene delivers part two of its countdown of the 10 biggest issues in Coast surfing.

BIGGEST SURFING ISSUES: No.10-6

5. MAINTAINING BEACH AND SURF AMENITY.

At last week’s meeting of the City of Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve Local Stewardship Committee, a resolution was moved to activate clause 3.3 of the Surf Management Plan that underpins the World Surfing Reserve.

This clause specifically asks the City of Gold Coast to write to the State Government requesting that the preservation and (where possible) enhancement of surf amenity be considered when undertaking the management of coastal activities and resources within their jurisdiction.

To achieve this, the City will request that the Ocean Beaches Strategy (OBS) and Gold Coast Surf Management Plan (GCSMP) be referred within relevant State coastal policies.

Léa Brassy attends the coral planting demonstration by Dr Austin Kerby and the Coral Gardeners for the Glowing Glowing Gone Campaign at Mo’morea, Tahiti August 19, 2019. (Photo by Matt Dunbar; /WSL)

COAST’S 10 BEST MALE SURFERS

4. SURF SAFETY

Surf safety is a serious issue and one that the GCSMP takes seriously.

It was discussed at the local stewardship committee meeting that Council update its surf safety message on their website and to highlight surf etiquette beach signs titled “the surfers code of conduct”. The motto is “Give Respect to gain respect”.

This is all about respecting the rules and knowing your limitations.

Owen Wright of Australia wins the 2019 Tahiti Pro Teahupo'o for the first time in his career after winning the final at Teahupo'o on August 28, 2019 in Tahiti, Franch Polynesia. (Photo by Kelly Cestari/WSL via Getty Images)

3. WATER POLLUTION

At the same meeting, a State Governments report was released to declare that the contamination reported in Coolangatta creek from PFAS emissions linked to the Gold Coast Airport was considered to be at low levels.

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However, tests that were taken from the desalination ocean outfall pipe according to divers showed signs of PFAS emissions offshore. In the fight to keep our waterways and ocean clean and pristine and free from harmful chemicals, it is important to monitor the health of our waterways for both ocean life and the public safety.

2. LOOKING AFTER CORAL REEFS

It was encouraging to see World Surf League and their WSLPURE campaign helping to restore coral reefs at Tahiti.

It showed when the coral is distressed its glows with an fluro bright orange colour that turns on like a warning light before dying.

The world best professional athletes were wearing competitive rash shirts of similar colour to raise awareness. A healthy coral reef is essential to the biodiversity of marine habitats. Look at what is happening to the Barrier Reef.

If we are to reverse this trend, everyone on this planet needs to find better and cleaner ways of living otherwise those reefs that create some of the best surf in the world will die.

1. SKIN CANCER

Peeling sunburned back.

The old saying was slip, slop, slap but some sunscreens are not only harmful to human skin they are also adding pollution into the ocean and killing coral reefs.

Hawaii was the first surfing country to ban sunscreens for this reason.

Cancer is the number one killer along with skin cancer the suns UV rays get more intense each year as another indication of climate change, so is vitally important to keep well covered up.

Best to use zinc that doesn’t wash off like Mick Fanning and Rabbit Bartholomew have religiously won effectively over the years. Wear a wide hat to the beach use surf cap in the surf and UV rash top as a preventive. Simple message is stay well covered up.