‘We don’t feel safe with all the surfers,’ say Vazon swimmers
Saturday 29th August 2009, 2:29PM BST.
an Fitchet and daughter Sonya Bougourd say that surfers are crowding out swimmers and families. (0831148)
OVERCROWDED Vazon is an accident waiting to happen, according to beach users.
Swimmers, water sports enthusiasts and families use the popular Castel bay.
The Guernsey Surf School has been based there for two years, and has added to the numbers on the shoreline.
Surf school manager Jim Hughes said they tried to be considerate of other beach users.
‘We have had some problems,’ he said. ‘But generally everyone can work together.’
The school can teach up to 40 young people at a time and is allowed to use the surf area, as well as an area 200 metres to the north.
But Mr Hughes believed the problem of overcrowding was caused by the way the States regulated where surfers can surf. In Jersey they are free to practise their sport on any beach.
‘It is a shame Guernsey limits surfers,’ he said. ‘It forces surfers into a small place and means it can be dangerous and can lead to accidents.’
Vice-president of the Royal Life Saving Society, Guernsey branch, Andy Remfrey, said the busy beach was putting everyone at risk.
An Environment Department spokesman said they had received some complaints from swimmers about the surf school.
‘It is difficult to reach a balance that suits everyone. We would ask everyone to be mindful and caring of other beach users, particularly the elderly and very young, whatever sport they are enjoying.’
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I agree the Vazon beach is over crowded on some days with swimmers, surfers, goat boaters etc. But as Mr Hughes pointed out the surfers keep to one part of the beach which the swimmers should NOT go into, that way there should not be a problem.
If the swimmers are not happy using Vazon to swim in, perhaps they should go round to Cobo as no one surfs in there!
It is unfair to blame the surfers, we do not have loads of places to surf, but if the States want to build extra reefs etc away from Vazon so the surfers can use that then please feel free! Until then the swimmers should perhaps think about not using Vazon when there is surf, because there are many ‘flat’ days in a year too!
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WHAT ???? Im not a surfer but Vazon is a massive beach,surely there is room for everyone ?? Why do the older generation in this island always have a complaint about everything the younger generation do..This is our island too !!!!!
That goes for the resdidents near Cambridge park too against the long awaited Skate Park, These are the same people who moan about rising anti social behaviour etc,Get a life and start living side by side, im sure it doesnt do your health any good moaning about everything !
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Well, someones bound to moan!
I think its great that the surf school is there as well as others being able to use the beach for these activities. It’s a real safe haven.
Come on swimmers, they dont use the whole beach and there are may more around the island.
People are to quick to complain that theres nothing for young people to do and when there is, the same ones still moan!!
Ya cant win.
Well done surf school. I think you conduct yourselves in a very professional manner. Keep up the good work.
GD.
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The surf School has been a great initiative; introducing lots of kids to various sports and a value add to the Guernsey product.
Vazon is a big old beach. Swimmers should recognise that they have far more options than people on boards or kayaks.
I swim at Vazon with my young girls; if it looks busy we move along a bit – simply solved.
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I have to say that it would appear that certain year round swimmers persist in swimming in dangerous areas. For example Havelet bay is used by regular swimmers, despite there being bathing pools right next door and this is a bay which regulary has quite large pleasure craft coming in to moor up and on some occasions small fishing boats unloading their catch on the slip. The surfers really only have Vazon so to give them a hard time seems very unfair. There are so many beautiful bays in other parts of the island where swimmers could go and swim safely. All it takes is a change of routine, which it seems to me is at the root of this issue!
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i totally agree that the surf school is a fantastic initiative and much needed. pupils of the school, and other local surfers are not generally a problem – they stick to the marked area of beach, and swimmers who venture into that zone must be stupid. However, non-locals and newcomers to surfing and kayaking don’t always appreciate the need to stay within this zone. My 3 year old daughter was splashing around near the slipway and came within 2 inches of being hit by a kayak – the young girl trying to control the kayak didn’t seem to know about the surfing zone. Perhaps signs need to be much clearer, and perhaps a life guard is required for the really busy periods in the summer holidays.
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What is wrong with the Rihmond end of the beach or even the centre part under the old VB, why have we got to always knock an idea that is keeping kids off the streets, and giving them an interest.
It seems if somebody comes up with a good idea on the Island we are always keen to try and put them down.
I say good on you Surf School keep up the good work and hopefully see you back down Vazon next year bigger and better.
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Of course you wouldn’t feel safe! Neither would I, and that’s exactly why I wouldn’t swim there. We’re surrounded by beautiful beaches, why choose the only 100m available to surfers? I’m sorry, it’s just selfish.
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If anything the surf zone should be increased as more and more people get involved in the sport, they all flock to vazon where it has begun to get a bit overcrowded in the line up!
Good on the surf school for giving the younger generation something to do.
As for kayaks, do they have to stay in the surf zone? technicall they are not boards?
But the answer to anyone who agrees with the article is simply, move along the beach a bit (other side of the slip way) and don’t swim in the surf zone, simples
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It needs banning. Have you ever talked to one of the parents of a child that has been surfed over?
Children as young as twelve are being terrified by these monsters.
At the very least we should be stopping the import of these dangerous and anti social weapons. Perhaps after that we can see about banning the tide.
Guernsey must stand firm against lunar gravity. Won’t someone please think of the women.
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There is only one surfing beach that is easily accessible in Guernsey and that is Vazon. There are dozens of swimming beaches.
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What a bunch of crackpots! I spoke to a holidaying couple the other day, and to my surprise they told me that what they heard about Guernsey seems to be true…the locals are unfriendly and intolerant. They endlessly complain about anything new, innovative and progressive. They blame everyone else for problems and see conspiracies around every corner (usually blaming non-locals). I do find that quite odd, seeing that the jail is FULL of locals! Well…if this article is anything to go by, then they seem to have been right! How on earth can you complain about a very good way of keeping young people entertained and healthy? Or do you prefer them hanging around in car parks and being a nuiscance. I guess you would prefer to slap a big roof over Guernsey and make it the biggest old age home in Europe! Please please please stop being so blind and join the rest of us in the present day!
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I’m about to make myself unpopular…
The surfers are more restricted by nature than by regulation. They can and do surf in other areas – Portinfer and to the North thereof; and between Perelle and L’Eree. L’Ancresse when it suits them too. Are they “allowed”? Well, no-one seems to stop them.
However, one does categorically NOT have to be a surfer to enjoy the breakers. Why shouldn’t swimmers enjoy them too? Surfers should stay in their area, but should take care to avoid swimmers that are in that zone. It should not be for everyone else to keep out of it. Kids enjoy bellyboarding too, and just crashing about in the waves.
There are many anglers that would like to fish the surf as well, but they are restricted to the hours of darkness, by which time the surfers have gone. Years ago, anglers could rely on the winter chill to see these pests off, but not any more.
The surf school is an exception, and I’d look at giving them an exclusive area for a month in the Summer. It must be a difficult sport to learn, and take some time for kids to learn to control their boards. Hence an argument for exclusivity.
Golf is played on L’Ancresse common, but the rest of us are still allowed to walk on it. It is for the sportsman to give way to the casual user, not vice versa.
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JL Seagull| September 1, 2009 at 10:41 am
It needs banning. Have you ever talked to one of the parents of a child that has been surfed over?
Children as young as twelve are being terrified by these monsters.
At the very least we should be stopping the import of these dangerous and anti social weapons. Perhaps after that we can see about banning the tide.
Guernsey must stand firm against lunar gravity. Won’t someone please think of the women.
Are you actually serious? really? how many beaches has guernsey got….. oh yea quite a few ITS A FREAKING ISLAND ever been to cobo? dont worry, i’m sure there is no “monsters” there, or do you want a beach with a night light to stop you getting worried, maybe they could make the zones a little clearer but really, ever tried surfing at l’eree?? try it and you’ll see why they go to vazon.
if your child is getting surfed over…. oh wait, be responsible and DONT let them in the SURFING zone
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JW
Are you being serious?
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Very serious, J.W
Have you ever been to A&E and seen the children bleeding from surfing accidents? Bleeding!
I’m surprised the medical profession haven’t had a press article stating how dangerous it is and that its growing popularity may trigger a “perfect storm of behaviour, weather and children” leading to the dismemberment of people, SOME AS YOUNG AS TWELVE!
I mean, KIRSTY MACOLL (She didn’t want to change the world, she was only looking for a new England was brutally murdered by sea-based recreational junkies. How many more deaths do we need?
Children are dying, not just one, but thousands of people, maybe as much as 100,000 people will die, or will know the death is serious, in Guernsey alone if we don’t stop this now.
Next you’ll be saying that surfing should be allowed in public spaces too!
If it were up to me I’d take the water out of the sea and plant birch forests. Have a surf board amnesty and use them to patch up the coastal defences. Within a generation this horror will be forgotten and your initial loss will be replaced with the fear of the birch.
Life affirming.
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J.W, I think JL Seagull was being sarcastic ;)
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JL – funnily enough there used to be a forest at Vazon!
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This is hilarious – is this for real? It must be a slow news day and the Press staff is inventing stories! Reading some of the other articles it seems to me that 12 year olds are to blame. What with getting addicted to legal highs and then getting run over at Vazon they seem to be the root of all evil at the moment. Ban them…go from 11 to 13 and make being 12 illegal. Problem solved….now where’s my bong and wax…
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Peter Smith
And they asked if these complainers were local did they?
Just more local bashing here me thinks as i dont here these things you claim from the majority but the opposite in fact. do you have a problem with the locals peter? also you seem to know all the prisoners are local, how do you know this?
Up the surfers and good on you,
i
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Keep up the good work surf school.
Peter Smith.
What a load of rubbish you posted,
i support the surfers and i`m local, sorry to dissapoint you mate.
Did the holiday makers check where these problem people were from? thought not. Funny thing is the ones i have spoken to say how friendly we all are over here, local and none local mmm makes you wonder eh?.
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I think the surf school is a great amenity for the island to have, both for tourists and local youngsters. I live at the other end of Vazon and there is good swimming over this side as well. Couldn’t folk who want to swim move over to the other side of the bay. It is never too busy over here.
I hope the surf school continues to be busy!
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bcb – loving your work. Disputing Peter Smith’s suggestion that visitors find Guerns intolerant and ready to blame all our problems on non-locals with an intolerant response in which you blame non-locals is a masterclass in sarcasm.
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Dear BCB
According to the report compiled by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in 2009 there were 14 foreign nationals in the prison. So that leaves the majority being LOCALS! But I suppose your next point would be that the non-locals currupted these poor unfortunates. I have no problem with anyone being local or not…as far as I am concerned anyone who can contribute is welcome. As I stated previously, it was to my surprise that they mentioned this.Try reading what is written next time!
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Why not encourage surfing? It could help to boost Guernsey’s floundering tourism trade. The sport is about to become popular in the south of England where the Boscombe area of Bournemouth is receiving millions in regeneration through it’s surf reef, the largest of it’s kind in Europe. Beaches in Poole and Bournemouth have designated swimming areas which ensure safety for all. Young people in Guernsey need interests and why prevent them from doing a great sport? What’s more surfing is a sport people of all ages can do, many families go out on boards together. It is really sad that so many people are so negative about new ideas and any kind of change. Yes the good old days were good, but what about the future? If the island is not progressive young people will not want to stay or return and it is likely that social problems will develop/increase as boredom sets in for those left behind. People of Guernsey local and non need to support new initiatives like the brilliant surf school.
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Peter Smith
Sorry, i did in fact read your post incorrectly. I thought you said you were not surprised.
Student Bob.
“masterclass in sarcasm”.
trust me when i say “your the expert in that department”.
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i am a young surfer who surfs at vazon and i no it gets pretty crowded but if you close the zone tht means we have to go down to perelle where we cant surf cuz\ were not that good so tht will be the end of my surfing. i dont see why swimmers cant move along or just go to another beach there are plenty of nice becaches in guernsey!
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We need to remember that this ‘school’ has probably kept many youngsters from getting pregnant and becoming addicted to cheap cider etc.
Also look at the image accompanying the article, don’t they look just about ready to complain about anything.
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Dean, I agree….even more so as there are no surfers in the water in that picture! yet at least 1 swimmer!!!
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I agree there is only obne swimmer and have they not looked at it from our point of view was surfers the swimmers get in r zone and have the cheek to have a go at us for surfing in the proper zone. if they dont like it then there are plenty of other swimming beaches in guernsey where swimmers can swim but not many surf beaches! and if the surfing zone goes then so will surf school which is a great way to get kids into surfing and out in the open.
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Sorry Peter Smith, but what has our local prison got to do with surfers? It’s going to have more locals than non-locals, surely as it is the ‘local’ prison. I think those that are non-local should be deported (imo).
Also is Mr Fitchet missing an I on his first name, or is he infact called an Fitchet?
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It’s is a massive beach! Don’t understand the problem. We have been there many times during the past few months and have not found the surfers intrusive at all. There are many other beaches to swim, but not many other beaches to surf.
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I the surf zone was to be removed it just means that there is a free-for-all in the water, i.e. surfers will still go there, and as the designated area will have been removed, they will simply follow the waves and go whereever they’re breaking decently….at least that’s what I’ll be doing!
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I accept that the chequered markings to the uninitiated aren’t always obvious. The fact that the surf school was given an extra 200 metres to the North of the chequered area probably isn’t obvious to most beach users. There’s also something called longshore drift that can take boarders into the swimming zone.
What would be useful would be for the Surf School to have a moveable flag pole on the shore line between the northern painted chequered flag and the 200 metre extension.
That would achieve two things. It would give the surfers a site line for their area and also remind swimmers that there is a designated surf zone.
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No surfers in Beausie pool…
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Well what a waste of ink.
For some reason there is rarely an understanding between different watersports. So what do we really have here…… a reef that creates the best surf( i belive as im not a surfer) on the island, a surf school that encourages students to learn somthing that gets them away from a virtuial game in their bedroom and several old swimmers.so heres the deal…..
SWIM SOMEWHERE ELSE ! or on flat days.
If you put yourself in the way of a surfer and they cant avoid you , well it’s your fault.
Heres another thought, why not regulate all swimmers, they should wear bright pink swim hats and pink gloves so they are more visible.
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So much good stuff has been said in support of the surfers. I agree that swimmers have more choice. I hope that the surfers now know that there our lots of people like me who think it is great and that those who are upset and refuse to move from their traditional swimming spot are very few.
But to those of you who would restrict the surfers I just want to ask you: Where would you rather these young people were?
Surely seeing lots of children to youths out there enjoying our natural resources is a good thing and should be encouraged.
I believe us older people need to be supporting the next generation in their pursuit of sport. They have lots of energy, a love of this Island and its resources that needs to be enouraged. As personally I do not want to see yet more children with nothing else to do with their friends but to walk the streets.
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