Fiji surfers to conquer Melanesian swell - FijiTimes.com

Fiji surfers to conquer Melanesian swell

Josefa Makaba
Friday, September 17, 2010

FIJI has a sent one of its biggest surfing team this week to take part in the inaugural Melanesian Cup to be held in Noumea, New Caledonia.

The three-day tournament will start tomorrow and end on Monday. Fiji Surfing President John Philip said the team to the Melanesian Cup is the biggest ever to represent the country in an international event.

Philip said the Melanesian Cup would give our surfers good competition and test before next year's Pacific Games.

"The meet with provide much needed top level competition at the venue of the Pacific Games Surfing event exactly twelve months before the games start."

Philip said the team would also be performing their new team challenge dance.

Philip said the challenge dance called Rere Ni Cava was choreographed by Manoa Rasigatale.

"This will also be the first time the dance will be performed in public."

Philip said he expected the team to do well.

"A giant swell is predicted to hit on the weekend and we expect good results from this team which has been training at the world famous Cloudbreak off Nadi," Philip said.

The team: Isao Ishihara - coach; Romeo McKellar - manager. Open men's: Isei Tokovou, Inia Nakalevu, Ratu Aca Raculo Lalabalavu, Paul Chongsue, Tim McBride. Junior under-16: Kalani Muller, Alifereti Kamanalagi; Junior under-18: Sunia Tabuseresere; Women's: Kaye Lepper, Kimberley Bennett.

Fiji Surfing Decree Becomes Law

FIJI SURFING DECREE BECOMES LAW - Surfline.com

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."

More here

Surfers can access any area without paying - FijiTimes.com

Surfers can access any area without paying 

Timoci Vula - Fiji Times

Thursday, July 08, 2010

TOURIST and local surfers can, from Friday July 9 this year, access and use any surfing area in Fiji without having to pay or obtain permit or approval from any person.

The decree aims to encourage and promote Fiji as a premier surfing destination, promote surfing as a sport, maximise development and training of local talented surfers, and also for locals to engage more profitably in the surfing industry.

Head of the tourism ministry Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the decree had been gazetted following Cabinet's approval on June 30, and it prohibited any exclusive use of any surfing area by any person.

"Any person who obstructs or prevents any person from accessing or using any surfing area for surfing or for any water sport, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine and or imprisonment," Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said

He said previously, a number of surfing areas in Fiji were exclusively licensed to a couple of hotel operators, which deprived other tourists and Fijians access and use of these surfing areas.

He said numerous reports had been received of tourists and Fijian surfers being physically and violently harassed and assaulted for surfing at these exclusive surfing areas.

Responding to claims of a campaign by licence holders of current exclusive surf spots, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the free access and use of all surfing areas in Fiji to all tourists and Fijians provided an opportunity for all Fijians, including itaukei landowners in the proximity of these surfing areas, to profit directly and indirectly by way of engaging in businesses themselves.

"The surfing industry is a global USD$10 billion dollar business and Fiji is home to some world class breaks known throughout the surfing world. There is enormous worldwide interest in surfing in Fiji given the quality and range of surf breaks in Fiji," he said. "The Decree paves the way forward for all Fijians to now engage more profitably in the surfing industry as surf-tour operators, life savers, surfing-specialised hotels, backpacker resorts, and home stays."

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said with the opening up of surfing in Fiji, there could be an additional 20,000 surfing tourists visiting Fiji each year, given the present 10 million plus surfers worldwide.

Meanwhile, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said any people who use any surfing area in Fiji for surfing or any water sport was required to ensure all surfing areas were utilised in a sustainable and environment-friendly manner, and that no other activity including fishing would be allowed in those areas.