ST. CLAIR GROINS.

Evening Star, Issue 22260, 11 February 1936, Page 11

ST. CLAIR GROINS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—No more convincing proof of the danger of the groins at St. Clair is required than an incident which occurred yesterday. To enable the St. Clair surf championships to be decided it was necessary to anchor a buoy in the breakers. Facing tremendous seas with a strong rip to the south, two life savers essayed the task of talking out the buoy in the canoe Avalon. After several upsets they managed to drop the float in a suitable place, but while cndeavouding to lift the anchor overboard a huge L.caker took control of the canoe, and swept it with terrific force towards the end of the first groin. With the possibility of being battered unconscious against piles, both men jumped clear just before the impact. In five minutes what was once a fine canoe Heated ashore as driftwood and bits of canvas. As an observer of St. Clair Beach for the last., 30 years I have no hesitation in affirming that groins as a cure for sand erosion at St. Clair are useless. They are ugly and they are a potential source of danger. The sooner they are removed the better.— I am, etc., St. Clair. February 10,