Sumner Beach

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32213, 4 February 1970, Page 18

Sumner Beach

Sumner residents fought a long battle to win the Scarborough beach back from pollution. Lately they have been trying to win it back from the surfboard riders who, in the years when the beach was unattractive to bathers, established a fair claim to it. At its next meeting the Christchurch City Council will be considering a recommendation from its parks and reserves committee on the use of the beach. The surfboard riders have strong arguments on their side, not the least of which is that while they use the part of the Sumner beach between Scarborough and Cave Rock the patrolled beach at Clifton—more attractive to swimmers in any event—can fairly be kept clear of surfboards. It should be possible to reserve an area for swimmers within the shelter of the Scarborough breakwater. A disadvantage here is the seaward rip at low tide when currents from the north sweep east towards Whitewash Head. Another part of the beach, on the south side of Cave Rock, should appeal to bathers. This section appears to be generally free from dangerous currents, is nearer to the headquarters of the Sumner Surf Life-saving Club, and does not attract board riders. Except to Sumner residents the allocation of the beach, or part of it, to surfboard riders might seem to be of little importance. In fact, so long as a suitable beach is open to the surfboard riders, other beaches within easy reach of Christchurch will be kept fairly safe for swimmers. This desirable separation of bathers and surfers can also be achieved at Sumner without depriving residents of the swimming waters from which they have long been deterred.