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Surfing Zone
In
a land known for blue waves and the green flash, another
endless summer has come and gone. As the door to a new
fall season begins to open, thoughts turn to school,
responsibilities and late south swells. The ocean temperature
will begin to drop off as swiftly as the tourists, and
the beaches will be left to the locals, seagulls and
marine life.
People from 18 months to 81 years of age tried surfing
for the first time this summer, finding themselves refreshed,
rejuvenated and with a new sense of hope. Life really
is more than paying bills, stress and tension. By becoming
a particle in the ocean waves, problems were left behind,
leaving the inner mind and spirit purified. Some say
the ocean is the world's greatest washing machine. A
new psychology is being rediscovered. Referred to as
"eco psychology, people are being reached quickly
where prescriptions and traditional dogma would have
taken years to help, if at all. The benefits of surfing
are instant and long lasting.
Currently, the purity of surfing is being exploited
and used to promote everything under the sun. The next
time you look up and see surfing on the myriads of billboards
hawking beer to banking and beyond, remember that's
not what surfing is about. Surfing is about the human
spirit sharing the vast wilderness of the sea with God's
wondrous creatures and being in tune with nature.
Today's soaring popularity of surfing leads some to
believe that the waves will become too crowded. Blame
the media, surfing schools, the clothing industry or
the developers, whoever is to blame the results will
be the same - limiting the growth of surfing popularity
is impossible.
This is an international phenomenon rather than limited
to Del Mar. People worldwide, especially girls and women,
aretrying surfing daily and getting hooked on the benefits.
Smart growth and responsible management is key.
The cool thing is if all surfers band together, they
are a considerable political force able to address problems
like storm drainage runoff and ocean quality standardization.
Social leadership is now coming from within the rank
and file of the surfing population.
Which brings us to the surfing zone. The surfing zone
is an area designated specifically for surfers. By segregating
the surfers, the swimming zone is deemed safer. But
what about the surfers? Who is watching out for them?
Many issues are now coming to surface.
If a surfer doesn't use a leash and loses a surfboard,
striking another surfer or swimmer, who is responsible:
the surfer or those who regulate beach safety? Should
there be a fine for not wearing a protective leash?
What if someone is using a sharp fin and inflicts a
wound on another surfer? Is the surfer, city or state
responsible for allowing the surfer to use sharp fins
in the surfing zone?
Divers need to be tested and licensed before hitting
the roads. Should anyone be able to get a board and
just paddle out knowing absolutely nothing about surfing
beforehand, endangering themselves and others? Maybe
all surfers should be regulated, tested and licensed,
insuring maximum safety for all.
Finally, who is qualified to decide these uncharted
safety standards and guidelines? After all, a pool lifeguard
needs more training before working the ocean. Today's
lifeguards are trained specifically for the swimming
zone and truthfully need to be educated and trained
to an even higher standard for the surfing zone. Who
has the experience, qualifications and knowledge to
implement informed and wise surfing policy? True leadership
will come from within the sport, working hand in hand
with government officials who actually do care to help
maintain and promote a safe and friendly surfing zone
for all America. United we stand, Sea you in the surf.
The Willis
Bros. are surfing experts recognized for surfing the
worlds largest waves and teaching thousands in Hawaii
and California to surf.
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