Island Surf Spots -- including those on Tavarua and Namotu -- now opened to all
By: Paul Holmes
There was no evidence of foot dragging in Fiji this week as the government moved swiftly to sign into law its Surfing Decree, making it effective July 9, 2010. Now anyone with a surfboard and a boat can access Cloudbreak and Restaurants on Tavarua, or Swimming Pools on nearby Namotu -- and any other surf spot that previously may have been restricted -- no fees, no fuss, no argument.
"Police ready to enforce Surfing Decree," headlined a story on FijiLive.com, with Richard Naidu reporting: "Fiji's police force says it is ready to enforce the provisions of a decree that provides unrestricted access to surfing and marine sports areas to tourists and locals alike. Police spokeswoman Ema Mua said the force will have to quickly understand the decree and provide enforcement."
Indeed, those trying to shoo encroachers off their would-be exclusive surf spots face harsh penalties: a fine of $10,000 for a company or $1,000 for an individual, plus a possible two years in jail. If anyone is concerned that a world-class break like Cloudbreak will soon see the same kind of rough justice that constitutes crowd control at Pipeline, hold your judgment. A close reading of the Decree reveals that acts of localism will be subject to the same penalties.
But the Fiji Surfing Association's John Philp believes that it will never have come to any of that. Reached by phone today he said of the Decree: "We are very happy about it. It's in many ways a civil rights thing--you feel you're living here in your own country and yet you can't surf certain places. So local people are ecstatic about the new law." And, he hastens to emphasize, "We want to make this a win-win for everyone, including the surf resorts at Tavarua and Namotu. We are asking everyone to be cool. In this transition people need to behave responsibly and safely, so that everyone can enjoy the great waves."
2 comments:
About time. This is the dawning of a new era in surfing. The ocean IS free for all to enjoy and care for.
This is a good common sense Blog. Very helpful to one who is just finding the resources about this part. It will certainly help educate me.
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