There’s a lot of debate in surfland right now about whether we should fight for our “right to surf”. It’s a discussion that has polarised the community, not just at home, but all over the world. Everyone wants to catch some waves, especially since it has been firing all over South Africa as winter conditions take hold.
But is that really where we should be focusing our energy and attention in this unique moment in history?
A petition has been circulating on WhatsApp and social media calling for a “nationwide peaceful protest” to allow South African surfers, paddlers, kitesurfers, spearfishermen and other “individualised sport ocean users” back into the ocean.
** Featured image – Alan van Gysen**
We also received a follow-up notice saying that the protest is illegal under Alert Level 4 because it constitutes a “gathering”.
To reiterate the point, we at the Zag believe that it is highly unlikely nigh impossible that the government will reverse their decision and allow “individualised sport ocean users”, under Alert Level 4, to access the ocean because it threatens to undermine the purpose of the lockdown. Which is simply to flatten the curve and avoid people getting and spreading the virus (and ultimately saving lives). A result that is achieved by withdrawing from public life and staying at home as far as possible. Seeing surfers, paddlers and fishermen enjoying themselves on the beach tacitly gives everyone else permission to do the same and all of a sudden, like pulling that loose thread on your favourite jersey, the whole thing comes undone.
If you’re itching to get involved and to do something positive with all that pent up rage energy rather direct your efforts to the multiple surfer run feeding schemes that are doing incredible work in response to the human crisis of the Covid19 lockdown. As Mikey February suggests in this stone cold dose of reality on his Insta:
Check out the full list of surf related relief and feeding schemes here.
Seasoned surf lensman and distinguished European Press Agency photojournalist Nic Bothma, who has been documenting the frontline of SA’s lockdown crisis and therefore has very good handle on the national situation, echoed these sentiments:
As a parting shot, and this is my own personal take here, surfers have never begged permission to surf. If you must surf, accept the fact that it’s currently illegal to do so, shoulder the responsibility of your actions and if you get caught take your lickings like an adult without complaint. Because the rules are clear. Kicking against the lockdown regulations shows a lack of understanding of the national situation and displays a sense of exceptionalism and entitlement.
And in the meantime, if your energy is solely focused on your next surf, you can get involved in making representations through the correct channels, to allow surfing under Level 3, email your case to lockdowncomments@cogta.gov.za
Well done Andy and Zag crew. You chaps me very proud to be a subscriber to your mag. I have lost months if not years being away from my family helping the competitive surfers. So far this has been 36 days with my family supporting outreach programs where I can. My new best friend is called Nexflix and Travis Logie and the guys at WSL HQ have kept me busy on the 2021 / 2022 plans for professional surfing. Its really going to make each region stronger and put Africa in the driving seat. Thank MFeb and Nic. Thanks for stepping up and helping many of us to hit the refresh button. Stay safe. Stay home, Take time to love your kids and your parents.
Thanks Andy! I am 100% sure that this silent protest will do more harm than good. We are so close to Level 3 (so they say), and if we draw too much attention to ourselves, these Ministers might be spiteful (like they seem to have been recently) and only allow surfing at Level 1!
Level 4 is basically still a hard lockdown (no schools, limited businesses, no alcohol, no zols) and from that point of view, to go back on their word and allow surfing in Level 4 makes no sense. This protest is a bit premature. Let’s give it a week and protest if surfing is still not allowed during Level 3.
Could some wordsmith out there help draft a letter that we can send to government to allow surfing in Level 3?
(Those guys that are secretly surfing and getting away with it, you are legends. But to protest now and draw unnecessary attention…kooks!)
Protests are bull shit while people are sucking on ventalators and dying…some in their 30’s and 40’s.Add another dimension to your narrow lives and stay the fuck ar home.
R5th per sesh or jail time =dont be a doosh.
Well said and may you be rewarded for your wise and kind words. Ever since I’ve been hearing about the news some surfers complaining about wanting to surf, I felt so embarrassed to be known as a surfer. But you hit the nail right on the head that this is a togetherness-thing and not a “surfers can surf but other people must stay at home”
Regards,
Ismaeel
Thanks for the article Andy.
To insist, under current circumstances, that one has a right to surf is ludicrous.
What surfers do not realise is that by surfing they are also putting the lives of volunteers like the NSRI at risk . You may not think you’ll ever need their services but there is always a first time.
The nation, the economy and the majority of South Africans are literally fighting for their very existence at the moment. No work, no food and no medical aid.
By having this protest I believe we will just be focusing the attention on a bunch of privileged individuals who have nothing much better to do with their time during lockdown. Eish.
As Nic Bothma stated in a previous comment, there are guys in Strandfontein who need their surfing so much more than us to keep off the streets and steer clear of compromised social conditions.
Lets rather focus on assisting the collective at the moment rather than the individual,
We will get to surf again, no doubt about that.
As an option, a well written article posted on mainstream media platform, (in this instance the Sydney Morning Herald) by the Editor of Tracks Magazine Luke Kennedy had the desired effect, in Sydney Australia. The Waverley Council opened up Bondi beach to surfers and swimmers only. The beach has been completely fenced and locked off for six weeks, prior to that. I actually think Zig Zag can make a difference here. Here’s is Luke’s article in the SMH. https://www.smh.com.au/national/surfers-in-sydney-s-east-are-not-criminals-but-they-re-being-treated-that-way-20200412-p54j5c.html
Here is the Council’s solution. The Surf and Go plan.
It’s a fenced off corridor down the water’s edge, it’s been operational for a week now, and is working well.
https://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/top_link_pages/news_and_media/council_news/news/corona/waverley_council_announces_swim_and_go_and_surf_and_go_measures_at_bondi_and_bronte_beaches
Lastly, Professor Mary-Louise McLaws, an epidemiologist at UNSW and advisor to the World Health Organisation, said:
“Particularly in this weather, where you’ve got lots of wind and sun, it reduces that likelihood of that super-spreading event, I think parks and beaches, swimming and surfing can be opened up.” The Waverley Council has followed this strict medical advice to allow surfing.
Thanks Andy for communicating so articulately what I believe is the opinion of most surfers. I have been a surfer since the late 60’s and have on a number of occasions not surfed for periods of up to 6 months for reasons other than choice … but I made it through, the waves did not abandon me, I just appreciated it more when I was able to surf again.
Doing something positive for people in need is undeniably the right thing to do, however this goes far beyond surfing. There is a heavy handed approach being taken by South African authorities. They are going for soft targets ( people likely to pay fines). 4 police officers arrested a lone SUP rider. 4 of them! People, including my 68 year old Dad aggressively herded from walking on the beach and corralled to the crowded boardwalk. The reality is that the logic displayed by the SA government is appalling. The rules by which the people are supposed to abide don’t make sense and should be challenged. You are not changing the “curve” by not partaking in your chosen (insert activity) individual sport. I live in a country that does not enforce the draconian measures that SA is being subjected to and can tell you first hand that people’s self-preservation instincts trump any draconian measures that governments put in place. The curve is flattening regardless. The commenters here have bought the SA cool aid and justify this gross abuse of movement and rights by self-proclaiming their myopic greater purpose. The virus is out, it is not stopping; time and sacrifice has been given by the people. Take control of your own health. Isolate if you must but let the healthy continue to live.
It’s bigger than this. The government making random rules has meant people trying to distribute food have been blocked, people who have tested positive have been held against their will and all reason (see Drs in Limpopo, inappropriate quarantine sites lining the pockets), and police have acted harshly in a way that reminds some of the bad old days. The surfing protest is a small way to make the government look foolish where it’s being foolish, done by people who are unlikely to be really harmed in the process. Don’t let the government turn a real crisis into an opportunity to start randomly taking away freedoms – the next one they take from you might not be one you can stand up to with your friends by the beach.
typically dumb kafrikan law.. no logic, just brute force and ignorance.
people can walk on a pavement but not the beach now? wtf?
thank f#k I don’t need to p!ss in your ocean again.
And to those who didn’t protest?
u weak muth@s…
too many priveleged people too scared to rock their priveleged boat…
don’t get me started….
Knob
Well said Pieter !
…Still a small silent protest never hurt anyone and helps draw attention to a ridiculous situation. IT WAS NOT JUST SURFERS THAT PROTESTED, ITS OTHER BEACH USERS LIKE PADDLERS, FISHERMEN, and so on. They are saying surfers are protesting when in fact its a bunch of various beach and ocean users. Don’t ridicule the surfers that protested, and stop saying there are bigger issues at work – we know that, but if peeps wanna protest to surf, paddle, walk their dog etc, then let them do that. I don’t think the publicity from this will make any impact on the decisions. The clip of the elderly gent with a paddle being arrested will NOT impact on surfers. Bring on level 3 but if we still cannot surf, the protests will get bigger. Respect to all the surfers and others assisting communities in need.