Surf Board Ban

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32210, 31 January 1970, Page 10

Surf Board Ban

Sir,—Why should surfers engaged in healthy outdoor sport be banned from a section of the Scarborough beach which they have used for years, in favour of swimmers who until now have avoided using it? Thia is one of the few good surfing areas around Christchurch but there is plenty of good swimming a few hundred yards away and other beaches abound. Such a ban would be grossly unfair to surfers who might more reasonably, but do not, ask for swimmers to be excluded from the area. The risk for swimmers can be met by their exercising the simple choice of swimming where they have done so without inconvenience in the past The imposition of this ban on surfers would be no way for the council to encourage a youthful respect for authority.—Yours, etc., R. E. WYLIE. January 30, 1970.

Sir, —The president committee and members of the Taylor’s Mistake Surf LifeSaving Club (Inc.) disclaim the use of the club’s name aa reported in the statement released by Mr R. Sherratt and published in your newspaper on January 29, 1970.—Yours etc., . M. B. MASON, Secretary, T.M.S.L.S.C. January 30, 1970. Sir, Scarborough and Sumner residents have used the Scarborough end of the beach for bathing long before surfing ever became a popular sport in this country. For some years past we have been banned from using this area; now that the sewage danger is over and we again have the "all-clear” from the Council, we find that the “surfies” have ’taken over. This is the only part of the beach at the Scarborough end suitable for families. It has a nice stretch of sandy beach soon after the tide has turned, there are facilities for changing, steps to sit on, rock pools to play in, refreshments handy—moreover, it has access to the beach for prams and small children. “Surfies” find no great hardship in clambering down the rocks to the sea—let them use the area between the Hardwick* steps and Head Street where there is no easy access to the beach for families.—Yours, etc., D. BENNETT. January 30, 1970.

Sir,—Although this beach has In the past been heavily polluted surf-riders have used it regardless, in fact, judging by the all-year-round use it gets it appears to be their most popular area. Previously the general public did not miss this beach, let them stay north of Cave Rock or bathe at Scarborough at their own risk. Other beach restrictions have been brought in with apparent laek of thought; they impose a total ban which is ridiculous as keen surfers surf all year round and from daylight till dark. Swimmers use the water mainly from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. This absolute exclusion should not happen in the Scarborough area. As surf-riders carry out about half the country’s surf rescues they must deserve some recognition.—Yours, etc., WARREN HAWKE. January 30, 1970.

Sir, —Some of your correspondents make the point that more surfers than bathers have been using the Scarborough beach area. This is quite correct—but only because the surfers have been more willing to defy the council’s prohibition on swimming there. Since the pollution has disappeared and the prohibition has been lifted the bathers have far outnumbered the surfers and protection against surf boards is essential.—Yours, etc., BEACHCOMBER. January 30, 1970.