Surf Boards Can Be Dangerous

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30653, 20 January 1965, Page 13

Surf Boards Can Be Dangerous

'THE surf board riding craze sweeping New Zealand has introduced additional problems for the voluntary surf life-savers guarding popular beaches and, although these problems are not yet as bad as some persons would like to imagine, they are nevertheless giving considerable concern. If the pastime of surf riding continues to increase in popularity at its present rate, the situation could very easily deteriorate without the proper education of the public in the safe use of the boards. When surf riding first began to appeal to the public, surf clubs were concerned at the possible danger to swimmers. This has since

proved a real worry, especially when boards have been in the hands of the inexperienced or thoughtless, and a number of swimmers have been injured when hit by an uncontrolled board. But, in Canterbury at least, another unexpected problem has cropped up. Some surf riders are proving a danger to swimmers and also to themselves—they cannot swim properly. When these persons are parted from their boards, as inevitably happens some time or other, they find themselves in serious difficulties and usually have to be dragged out of the water by a watchful surf patrolman. It is essential that any

surf board rider should be an excellent swimmer. If he is not then his eventual drowning must be taken as a matter of course. And he cannot rightfully expect to be rescued by a surf patrol; he is not allowed inside the recognised patrol area with his board; he is literally on his own. Surf board riding can be great fun and a fine sport, but it must not be indulged in by a poor swimmer. Such a person can only be a danger to himself and anyone in his immediate vicinity and a constant worry to surf patrolmen whose main task is to protect the surf swimming public.