I wrote the following letter this summer. A representative from City Councilman Kevin Faulconer’s office called me and I have spoken to him and included him in my e-mails with our OB area Lifeguard Service Lt. Greg Buchanon. I was also invited to meet with Lt. Buchanan. He listened and thought that I had made some good points. He further agreed to meet with the other supervising lifeguards and discuss this matter with them.
It is unfortunate that the results of their discussion was to maintain status quo with regard to not allowing surfing at Middles Beach during the summer hours of 11a.m. to 6 p.m.
He mentioned that we had the pier and Dog Beach areas already, as well as “… south of the OB Pier, that area is a quality surfing area for all competent surfers,” apparently unaware that the conditions required for surfing the Sunset Cliffs area (or Dog Beach) are not at all common in the summer months.
I would have hoped that we could attempt to at least experiment with a change in status of the most favorable surfing area (Middles/Avalanche) between Pacific Beach and Imperial Beach:
Dear Councilman Faulconer, Chief Hewitt and Lt. Buchanan:
I am writing in the hopes that we can consider a change in the way the surfing “control zone” is handled in Ocean Beach.
I have lived and surfed here for almost 30 years and am mostly in agreement with the way Ocean Beach has been set up.
The current use plan:
1) The pier area is for board surfing only.
2) From the main tower to “avalanche jetty” is a 24-hour, 365-day-a-year, swim-only zone.
3) From “avalanche jetty” to “stump jetty”/Dog Beach is the control zone.
4) Dog Beach is an open-use area.
My concerns are the use of area 3 as described above. This beach is one of our worst beaches for swimming because of strong rip currents, large, shifting holes along the bottom and a constant strong rip by “avalanche jetty.”
Those same poor swimming conditions create an ideal surfing environment during the summer months, the same season that the beach is closed no matter what between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. from June until September.
I would propose that lifeguards be given some discretion when choosing when it is appropriate to evacuate all surfers.
Today (7/5/07) is a perfect example. The waves were head-high, breaking off of a strong rip between Tower 3 and Dog Beach. Weather was dreary with drizzle and almost no one on the beach except maybe 25 to 30 surfers enjoying Middles Beach. As soon as it was 11 a.m., we were forced from the water and the area became swimming only. The problem is that there were not any swimmers. The waves were breaking far out, the rips were strong and most bathers probably shouldn’t be out in those conditions.
[Municipal] code 63.20.2 in section (b) states:
“These boundaries notwithstanding, city of San Diego lifeguards may, due to weather, crowd conditions, special events, or other factors, alter the boundaries on any given day.”
This seems to be our solution, but it is not practiced this way. The duty guard today stated to me that the code mandates that we surfers are ejected from the water at 11 a.m. and it is never within their discretion to decide, based upon conditions.
What can I do as one of the many, many surfers in this area to get a review of this situation? I am sure I could get petitions and expert testimony if needed.
Another issue with the municipal code is with section 63.20.2, section C, definition (2):
˜Surfboard’ shall mean any noninflated device upon which or with the use or aid of which a person can ride waves or be carried along or propelled by the action of the waves.”
If this is so, then why can body/boogie boards be used while in a swim zone if this clearly is a violation of the code?
Additionally, the OB guards allow boogie boards during the “surfboard only” time in the control zone.
The code is very frustrating in the way in which it is being implemented.
I look forward to working with the City Council and lifeguards in finding a workable resolution.