Bells Beach, Victoria: Surf camera sparks fierce debate at famous swell

A surf camera placed at a popular Australian swell has sparked a fierce debate that has led to petitions and threats of legal action.

There is a battle over a surf camera placed at one of Australia’s most famous swells that is being called an invasion of privacy by some and a bonus safety feature by others.

The camera, which can be found at the Winki Pop surf break at Victoria’s most famous surfing precinct, Bells Beach, was placed there by surf forecast company Swellnet.

Swellnet has both a website and an app people can download for the latest surf reports and also see real-time footage of some of the country’s most popular surf beaches.

The Winki Pop camera has proven divisive, however, with the Surfrider Foundation Surf Coast Branch (SFSCB) as well as academics calling for its removal and a petition titled “Remove the Winki Pop surf cam – respect Bells Beach” gathering more than 2500 signatures.

Winki Pop sign at the surf break. Picture: ABC News

Those in opposition to the camera also believe it goes against the values of the beach, which only allows commercial activity with a permit.

SFSCB secretary and local surfer Darren Noyes-Brown told the ABC that Bells Beach was held in a different regard than other Australian surf beaches and the camera’s placement at Winki Pop was a step too far.

“Bells was the world’s first surfing reserve, so it’s like the granddaddy of all the other surfing reserves that have come after it,” he said.

“We have had surf cams in the area, which we’ve put up with, but having this one staring right into the guts of Winki Pop is just too far.”

The camera also caught the attention of Deakin University senior criminology lecturer Monique Mann, who published a paper titled “Surfveillance: Swellnet’s SurfCam at Winki Pop” alongside fellow lecturer Ian Warren.

Dr Mann told the Bellarine Times the camera went against local guidelines and it appeared Swellnet used a loophole to film the swell.

“Filming at Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited without a permit,” she said.

“Swellnet appears to be circumventing this prohibition, as the camera is fixed to a private residence on the cliffs of Jan Juc that overlooks the reserve.

“It is important to understand that this camera is not CCTV because it is not closed circuit. It is live broadcasting to the internet constantly.

“People are not aware that the camera is there. They have not consented to being filmed, nor do they know their image is being live broadcast to the internet globally, and they are unable to opt out or have their images removed from Swellnet’s recordings.”

The camera in question that is attached to a private dwelling. Picture: ABC News

A Swellnet spokesperson said the “small family business” wasn’t contacted by Dr Warren and Dr Mann to discuss the paper.

“Authors Dr Mann and Dr Warren did not contact Swellnet at any time prior to or following publication of their paper,” they said

“As such, the paper contains a number of incorrect statements and many omissions of fact.”

The company, which has cameras covering 15 of Australia’s 23 surfing reserves, said it was looking into legal avenues considering the media coverage the paper has garnered.

“The paper concedes that Swellnet has not broken any laws,” the spokesperson said.

“Nevertheless, recent media interviews promoting the paper have been bolstered by Dr Mann’s and Dr Warren’s senior positions at Deakin Uni, giving an impression that Swellnet’s surf cams are legally questionable, which is damaging to the company’s reputation.

“Swellnet is currently considering its legal options to facilitate a retraction of the report.”

A shot from Swellnet's Winki Pop camera. Picture: Supplied/Swellnet

There are locals in support of the camera who believe it adds an element of safety to the beach that wasn’t available before.

Torquay surf shop employee Sarah Reid told the ABC that she could use the live stream of the break to encourage surfers who were out of their depth to go to another location.

“A lot of people want to surf Bells Beach because it’s iconic, but it’s not a learner’s wave,” she said.

“If I can look at the camera at Winki Pop, I know I can send them somewhere safer or know if they are absolutely set on Bells, I can check if it’s safe and let them know what to expect.”

Ms Reid also laughed off privacy concerns due to the camera being set so far back from the beach.

“If it’s a privacy issue or a surveillance issue it’s absolute rubbish because they’re little black ants in the distance at Winki Pop,” she said.