Surfing some of the best surfspots in my area have just resently been outlawed. They are now part of a bird sanctuary where “jetskies, other motorized watersport, windsurfing and wave surfing is forbidden”. Surfing within the sanctuary can be punished with fines up to about $1000 or one year in jail. The Norwegian surfing association is trying to get the regulations revoked on a technicality because no surfer was allowed to have a say in the process. We’ll see how that goes. Needless to say it’s a bit frustrating. Does any of you know of anything similar anywhere or better, somewhere where birds and surfers coexsist in a bird or wildlife sanctuary? It seems like the regulations are based on a presumption that the birds are disturbed if they see a surfer, which is something atleast I find a bit odd since I can get so close to birds, seals and other wildlife when I surf. Anyone know of any research on the field or anything else that can help us? PLEASE!!! regards, Håvard
Havard, In Northern California, we have The Lost Coast, which is a wilderness preserve. Surfing is allowed, but all wildlife is protected and no motorized vehicles are allowed. In Queensland, Australia, Noosa Heads is a National Park and wildlife preserve. The Koala Bears munch on gum leaves while watching the surfers right under them. No problem. Costa Rica also has many national parks where recreational activities are allowed. With some research, you should be able to make a good case for allowing surfing. Cheers - PK
I appreciate what the government are trying to do here - i agree that jetskis have a huge impact upon the environment - pouring oil into the water, creating noise pollution and killing cetceans by crashing into them. However to lump non motorised craft into these bans seems extreme. From my own personal experience, when I come into contact with wildlife in the ocean, they seem totally unpeturbed by my presence - i’ve actually been surfing whilst a pair of seals have been mating close by - didn’t throw the bull off his stroke one iota! If you’re not towing in I can’t see that there’s a problem - don’t know of any studies however, just anecdotes. Maybe it would be an idea to get a scientist to come surfing with you - my feeling is that surfing is the least impactful marine activity that you can do. I do agree, however, that we as surfers should treat the environment with respect
I went to google and typed in Jæren, Norway. The first link has b/w photos of the place and, amazingly, the 6th picture down on the left shows a small clean wave and what appears to be a paddler. Went to the next link (01) and the guy caught a 1 footer. Kayaks are not mentioned in the ban. Maybe the locals could unite with the kayakers - they probably already are the kayakers - and point out that if one is allowed why not the other? Good luck. http://www.thu.no/black02.htm
Havard, In the Ventura and Santa Barbara County areas of California there are several areas which are wildlife preserves. The hangup with birds seems to e the most problematic. It basically has to do with their nesting areas and perceived threats to nests. It usually means defining certain access paths to the water, possibly relocating where you park vehicles, but I know one area near Lompoc CA where they close the whole beach for nesting season. Give me a couple of days and I’ll see if I can come up with some contacts. Nels
Another case of bureaucrats going insane. I surf in state and national parks because there is nothing there - thats what makes them so precious. No condos. No outflow pipes. No lifeguards. Just nature. (and a few idiots that occasionally trample over sanddunes, turtle and birds nests and leave trash, all of whom should be banned, not the surfers!!) Like many surfers I am involved in beach clean up, surfrider, and anything to protect the ocean and natural resources. I am sure your brethren in Norway are the same way. Join forces with anyone who understands. Don’t let it lie. Is it OK to watch the wildlife from a sea kayak but not OK to catch a wave? Of course not. Mindless.
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I’d like to put you in pain.Body.Get off th,th,th,th,damn robitusin,ya idjit.
Bubba, crawl back into your mother’s uterus…
sorry about that bubba-I meant that for paininmaine or spaininpain or maineinspain or janeisplain, whatever…
Havard The Cape Point nature reserve in Cape Town Has a good beach breack when the surf is really small and is regularly frequented by surfers as well as the many other reserves in South Africa. This area has the most types of plants and fyn bos per meter than any other place in the world I think. Also countles species of birds, sealife and land dwelling animals http://www.capepoint.co.za/
Thanks alot all of you. The bird sanctuary is only for the winter months, so it’s not related to the nesting season. It’s for the trek, some birds stop and feed in the area in the trek. Some stay for the winter. They supposedly feed in the surfzone therefor the ban. If anyone know of any surf club or organization that have been working with something similar, please provide contact information. Any information will be appreciated. Give our cause some thought the next time you go surfing. regards, Håvard
Contact the Surfrider Foundation. http://www.surfrider.org/ They help with beach access issues. I bet if you were rowing a faering (Norwegian rowboat type) they wouldn’t ban you! Chris Anderson
Havard - Here are a couple more sources of info. If the initial appeal doesn’t work, you might consider trying to get some local surfers together to volunteer to help monitor the preserve, attend meetings, and generally become part of the group that has banned you. With some positive involvement, insider contacts and greater visibility, surfers may gain a foothold. As a coordinated group, you have far more clout than as pissed off individuals. Locally (central California), surfers were quite vocal through Surfrider Foundation in fighting restrictions during the planning stages of the Monterey Marine Sanctuary. At one point, there was talk of banning virtually any human activity. http://www.saveourshores.org http://www.mbnms.nos.noaa.gov/