The Surfrider Foundation attended the Beach Advisory Committee today at the MB City Hall regarding proposed changes to the surfing regulations, dogs on the beach and jet skis. In all, it was a mostly successful meeting, with few changes being made.
The Surfrider Foundation attended the Beach Advisory Committee today at the MB City Hall regarding proposed changes to the surfing regulations, dogs on the beach and jet skis. In all, it was a mostly successful meeting, with few changes being made.
The current ordinance (ORDINANCES 5-5: Surfboards and Kayaks) prohibits these activities inside specified zones from April 30- Sept. 15 from 10am to 5pm. The proposal in front of the committee was to change the hours and dates to April 15 – Sept. 30 from 9am to 5pm. The committee did pass a motion to change the times from 9am to 5pm. The committee did not recommend changes to the dates.
Also at issue was the northern most surfing zone ( runs from 82nd Ave. N. to northern city limits (Dunes). The proposed change would ban surfing in front of Marriott and Grand Dunes property, but add a new surfing zone from 82nd Ave. N. south to 77th Ave. N. The motion was passed to ban surfing in front of this area, but was not recommended to replace this area w/ a new surfing zone from 77th Ave. to 82nd Ave. However, the committee did pass a motion to add to four blocks to the 37th Ave. North – 47th Ave. North surfing zone (new zone would extend down to 33rd Ave. North).
The recommendations will now go to the City Council.
A LITTLE HISTORY…….
In 2001, the Beach Advisory Committee asked Surfrider to form a committee to review all of the surfing regulations in the city limits, and discuss w/ the city manager, beach patrol, and beach services. As a result of that meeting, the times were changed from 9am to 10 am (which was endorsed by Sgt. Phillip Caine, and w/ everyone understanding this would be a “trial period”). We also got the surfing zones extended.
FIVE YEARS LATER…..
Sgt. Caine said safety is the issue for the recommended changes in the time. He said there have been a few instances w/ surfers endangering swimmers in the 9-10 time period (in these prohibited areas; ie, in front of the hotels). He also said there have been some confrontations w/ surfers and lifeguards, and even w/ beach patrol as a result.
As far as the surfing zone in R-15 (82nd Ave N. to the beach access just north of the Grand Dunes condo towers), losing this particular surfing zone isn’t much of a loss. Historically, no one has really surfed there much (for some reason?!), and it’s never had much of a break. Sgt. Caine was against the recommendation of replacing this area w/ a new zone from 82nd to 77th because he said that area is already extremely crowded, and is anticipated to only get more crowded w/ new condo developments going up in that area.
Not wanting to give something for nothing, Surfrider asked that the surfing zone from 37th to 47th be extended. The council agreed to add four blocks to the north end of this zone (from 33rd to 37th). Yes, we know it really doesn’t help the 82nd Ave. area, but Surfrider doesn’t believe the surfing community will be affected by that loss.
AS FAR AS DOGS……
The committee passed a motion to change the dates (which dogs are prohibited on the beach from 9 to 5), from May 15 – Sept. 15, to April 30 – Sept. 15 (lose 15 days).
AS FAR AS JET SKIS……
(who cares!)
The Grand Strand Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation does and will continue to fight for the local’s rights to beach access, which includes recreational activities such as surfing and walking our dogs. While most of the problems are caused by out-of-towners, there are some “citizens” who make our job tougher. Help us make our job easier. Try to be respectful of the surfing laws, and try to stay away from swimmers (and swimmers, try to stay away from surfers). If approached by lifeguards or beach patrol, try to be respectful and don’t smart off at them; they’re just doing their job. And if your dog poops on the beach, pick it up (b/c your dog isn’t going to).