Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coastal and Marine Species Migrations The Human Dimension Socio-Economic Uses of the Coast Commercial Resource Uses
Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
Coastal access
Coastal access

Access RoutesBoat Launch SitesThe Human DimensionCoastal Access: Stats & Facts
Estuaries
Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
Historical Time Series Estuary Mouth Status Sand Mining
Recreation
Recreation

Fish TaggingAccess RoutesBlue Flag Beaches
Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

Coastal Risk LinesExtreme EventsCoastal ErosionKZN Coastal Vulnerability IndexPollution
Coastal issues
Coastal issues

PollutionSand MiningCoastal ErosionNurdlesUPL Chemical Spill
Back
24 Apr 2020

Surfers in need of a break petition to ease lockdown regulations

Juan Venter (North Coast Courier) Picture: A petition aimed at getting lockdown regulations eased to allow surfing has garnered over 1 200 signatures.

Surfing during lockdown should be allowed in KwaZulu-Natal, so says the creator behind a petition which aims to see the ban on surfing lifted. Salt Rock local, founder of North Coast Board Riders and member of iLembe Surf Riders Association, Wayne Duncan said surfing was a social distancing sport.

“Surfers are like waves to ourselves, we don’t share a wave,” he said.

Wayne said a petition was first started in the Western Cape to allow surfing during lockdown and he has started a similar petition with the hope of getting President Cyril Ramaphosa to ease the restrictions.

“We are not saying anyone should defy the orders of the president. If anything, we respect what he has done and applaud him for his leadership. But what we are saying is that we have hundreds of kilometres worth of coastline,” said Wayne, who believes social distancing could be maintained while allowing citizens to exercise.

Wayne said there were multiple health benefits, both physical and mental which needed to be considered as well.

“Surfing is healthy. I have three kids and a wife, we all surf and are used to being outdoors for two to three hours a day.”

According to Wayne, his children desperately need motivation to continue studying and, for them, surfing is a means of motivation.  Since the start of the original petition in the Western Cape, more than 4 700 signatures have been collected. While it is unclear exactly how many signatures could sway the president’s mind to consider lifting the ban, the KwaZulu-Natal petition, which can be found at chng.it/45cJpXHn, has garnered nearly 1 200 signatures since starting last week Friday.

Spokesperson for Surfing South Africa, Robin de Kock however had other views on the matter, saying that starting a petition was selfish.

“Surfing South Africa is a part of government and we will respect whatever government has decided is best,” said Robin.

Robin said that if surfing would be allowed, why shouldn’t mountain-biking or any other similar sport.  He argued that surfers do not miraculously appear on the beach or in the waves but instead, drive to beaches and group in parking areas, something which should be avoided during lockdown. Robin called on all surfers to respect the nationwide lockdown.

Chief director of communication at the Department of Sport and Recreation, Mickey Modisane was unable to comment at the time of going to print.

 

Online Article