Bodyboarding Is A Crime
‘Twas a big weekend up Cronulla way. The Shark Island Challenge ran after an eight year hiatus, a fresh south swell graced every rockshelf in the region, and Chinese-style policing kept the punters safe.
That’s no slight on our Chinese friends, mind you, but you’ve no doubt seen the footage of Hong Kong police sawing a surfboard after its owner dared to surf Shenzhen Beach. An extreme measure, but it was for his own protection.
Sunday dawned undersized but with plenty of potential. Low tide made the Island out of bounds and with many crew in town to watch the contest, some of them made their way to Cape Solander. Most surfers knew how to get in the water but not all knew how to get out again, and that’s when the trouble began.
Truth be told, the story begins even earlier. You see, it’s been an eventful few weeks at Cape Solander. Tragic really. On the 10th June, three women were swept from the Cape Solander rock platform. One survived, two drowned.
They were the latest statistics from a place the Royal Lifesaving Society have called “a black spot”, identified as a location that causes an inordinate amount of rescues and deaths. It’s now under increased scrutiny.
Perhaps pertinent to our story is that of all the deaths to happen at Cape Solander, none of them have been surfers, and very few of the rescues have been surfers.
Unfortunately - or fortunately, it depends on your point of view - two surfers were rescued by lifesavers on Sunday morning.
Brendan Rowney was out at Middles on the morning in question. A regular at the Cape, he noticed a few fresh faces in the lineup and the carpark.
“There were a lot of people who I’d never seen out there before,” said Brendan, “I assumed they were there to watch the contest later on.”
After surfing Middles, the two surfers in question tried to hit the rocks but couldn’t dry dock it. Never an easy exit, there are nonetheless other places to exit north of the Cape and even inside the heads if the surf is really big.
Yet instead of choosing the other options, the duo persisted and caught the eye of police officers watching from the rock platform - see the earlier reference to increased police scrutiny.
Two boats and a rescue chopper were swiftly dispatched to plunk the hapless surfers from the water. Meanwhile, Brendan Rowney, Shane Ackerman, and a fella named Deano, kept on surfing. The chopper pilot didn’t leave, however, and this is when “things started getting weird” according to Brendan.
“The chopper just kept on circling, doing rings around us,” says Brendan. “At first we thought they may have been just watching us surf.”
For the record, the surf at this stage was, “around eight foot, not wild, still pretty slow.”
Sunday was a mere lemon against this Shippies pie - Shane Ackerman with his fingers well and truly in it (Screenshot Conor Hegyi)
“The next thing,” continues Brendan, “the jet ski from Cronulla lifeguards came around the corner and things were getting really weird.”
The lifeguard aboard the PWC definitely wasn’t there to watch the fellas surf, instead he was conveying orders from the police in the carpark to evacuate the surf. “We weren’t allowed to surf anymore,” says Brendan, “and not only that, the lifeguard wasn’t allowed to leave until we went in.”
To surf or not to surf?
To push back or obey the badge?
The trio chose the latter, the wind was coming up anyway, and they got a friendly lift on the PWC to the heads where the police were waiting for them.
Quick digression: On Monday, NSW Maritime reported that, not two, but five surfers were rescued from the water at Cape Solander. The friendly PWC ride was chalked up as a recovery mission.
Upon exit, the police told Brendan that ‘it looked like we were having fun’, however that was followed by a hazy sort of explanation about duty of care. Because the first two surfers were rescued everybody had to leave the water. In Brendan's retelling, the explanation didn’t sound definitive.
That was followed by a proper scolding from the lifeguard and then further heavy handedness upon the trio returning to the carpark. Park rangers prevented them and anyone from entering the water under the threat of a fine.
It’s an unusual turn of events for a wave that gets regularly surfed, and oftentimes far bigger than last Sunday. It left Brendan, Shane, and Dean, bemused but also wondering what’s going to happen next time it gets big out there? Is that it for maxing Cape now?
Brendan flying free as a bird at the Cape back in 2018 (Photo Charlie Straumietis)
Though there were three authorities working in tandem: the police, National Parks, and lifeguards, by Tuesday two of them began walking back their involvement.
“We were present on Sunday,” a media officer from the National Parks and Wildlife Service told Swellnet, ”however we weren’t involved in any way.”
Pressed on the matter, the officer claimed that they have no authority to prevent surfers from entering the water anyway. Parking illegally, yes. Surfing illegally, no.
The Sutherland Shire Lifeguards were also aware of the incident and, despite the browbeating given to Brendan, Shane, and Dean, were of the opinion things could’ve been done differently.
“There’s a chain of command we have to follow,” a lifeguard told us, implying that they had to follow police instruction, “however there’s also room for some discretion. The Cape attracts great surfers who can usually look after themselves.”
That only left the police, and when Swellnet rang Cronulla Police Station we were informed that, yes, an incident report had been lodged, but it was up to the discretion of the officers involved whether they’d contact us. The phone never rang.
That means we don’t know what law the officers were enforcing to remove the surfers from the water, or even if such a law exists. I’m no SovCit but it sounds dubious.
Which means there’s no neat ending to this story. The actions of the authorities can be tallied up as public safety due to the earlier drownings - an overly-zealous act of public safety but well-intentioned at heart.
While there's no neat ending, this story does have a moral. The authorities wouldn’t have been called, the rescue wouldn’t have occurred, if the initial two surfers didn’t first get in strife.
If you’re going to jump off the rocks, then know how to jump back on.
//STU NETTLE
Comments
And just imagine if it was an epic day.. There would have been a lot of deaf surfers thats for sure.
Or if they'd ever heard your soundtracks, they'd wish they were.
It's funny coz it's true.
Hahaha go hard Hiccups (agree).
lol agree
Would rather SUP on a Goat Boat than listen to those soundtracks
Timmy Trumpet!
Gold!!
Outstanding!
Comment of the decade.
Classic
hahaha at the top of the thread, too
Tough situation as it wasn't mindless policing but they had safety in mind. Hopefully there's some kind of debrief by the cops on how to handle it differently next time around.
PS: That Shane Ackerman shot is incredible.
One day after a couple of days of stormy weather pulled up to currumbin ally to 6ft clean no one out,as I got to the rocks 2 cops called to me that they didn't want anyone out there coz they filming on the beach,as we were talking I slowly edged my way to the keyhole and said I will jump off and paddle down the beach,spent the next 2 hours on my own out there with them angry waving me in,then they disappeared I guess coz they know they can't stop you.
Don't mess with the fuzz man.
WHAT WOULD KOBY DO?
Sounds like the bra boys have turned into the ya boys.
Would the police have assessed the situation any differently if they were on surfboards?
It's possible but not probable. Our hardcore bodyboarding friends are well respected by those that can appreciate what they do at places like Shark Island, but for the uneducated punter they probably just look like a bunch of kids on pool-toys. However in this scenario I think it wouldn't have mattered too much if the surfers were standups; the police in their infinite wisdom had made up their minds.
This one's for Stu
?si=AePV-N0HxujUTCb_Task Force
We need a PA on the headland
and the Birdmen doing a aet !!
Anyone been to the Birdman 50 gigs?
No, I did see them in 2004, in syd , they were magic.
Cheers. Unfortunately there is a bit of a difference between being in your mid fifties and your mid seventies when it comes to certain things. I don't want to ruin the memories. Something Stu said elsewhere about not wanting to see old people playing old things.
Last saw the around the year 2000. The songs are strong and the band was charging it. Can't bottle the smokey, beer soaked sweatyness of pub rock.
You know, i randomly seen the Ramones In 94
Still one the best sets I've witnessed , these days it really hits home how lucky I am / was.
Good work peabo! Thanks mate.
Ha ha...didn't this comment thread turn a musical corner?
yep - someone even posted some 3MMM power pop rock:
Heh heh. Noice.
Time to join NSW police, head down to the Cape, clear the water then haul your booger out the paddy wagon and have the place all to yourself.
Ha!
good plan
Brilliant heading stu !
Is there a lawyer in the house?
I was hoping that story was going to end with the boys giving The Man the middle finger, bummer.
Who was that guy Harbour Steve I think
Such a funny story he surfed this harbour mouth in California it was illegal he played cat n mouse with the cops for years
Harbour Bill Mulcoy, Santa Cruz Harbour
nanny state
My initial reaction was to tell the fuzz to PO.
But considering a rescue operation was underway is there any responsibility of those in the water to vacate the water to assist with the rescue operations?
And is there any responsibility by the rescue team to only leave after all people are considered to no longer be at threat.
Maybe the rescue team couldn't actually leave until they were out of the water?
Birds eye view from the chopper.
Time for a bit of clarity here..
The police were called a young charger on a surfboard copped a few inside on the rocks trying to come in the key hole during a growing swell. He was a bit shook up so I paddled him around to the harbour because it was to intense at the steps.
We were about 80m from where we were going in and the marine police pulled up and we were all having a laugh and they were happy to move on until they asked if we wanted to come for a ride, so we jumped in for a laugh.
This was not a rescue and the fact it’s been portrayed as that by maritime and whoever else is disappointing
have seen very similar things happen around here. woulda been the paper that added their little bit of flare. being in the emergency services, they constantly, repeat constantly, add details to make their story spicier.
So not even two were ‘rescued’.
I know in summer the clubbies call anything that happens a ‘rescue’, which then becomes a ‘lives saved’ figure.
Normally the professional lifeguards are good though. The browbeating doesn’t sound like their usual caper.
The police were actually called because there was an Asian lady sporting a moon boot and a set of crutches slipping around in the rocks when she wore some wash but this wasn’t mentioned at all
Just trying to justify the tax payer funds wasted I guess haha
The police were actually called because there was a lady sporting a moon boot.......
fixed it for ya.
Well played Joshy
I was down there Sunday afternoon and saw the "rescue". It was a complete farce, 4 police wagons, a lifeguard Ute, a npws Ute, a ski and a rescue helicopter, probably 20 public servants in all hanging around looking at each other. All for nothing. Fair enough there's been a run of tradegy there lately so you can understand why they are jumpy but it's a classic over reaction.
Good pay on a Sunday?
Key word...'discretion' in the hands of authoritative figures is never going to end well.
Bloody good reporting Stu
I watched the surfboard "sawing"..
A classic case of choosing the wrong tool for the job.
Looks like they selected a pruning saw. Would have been much better with a cross-cut hand saw.
Disappointing result....
Totally what I was thinking. As an amateur gardener/tree lopper and woodworker I was definitely thinking wrong tool. Rip saw would have been good too. :-)
^ haha, yeh, looked awkward for a minute with that flex:
https://www.surfer.com/trending-news/watch-chinese-beach-cops-punish-sur...
I think a hammer would have had more impact.
If the long arm of Aussie law is to be extended to the surf zone one would hope they'd be better equipped with Cordless Reciprocating Saws in their Kook Squad utility belts.
I'm joking officer. It's all just a media beat up we're poking some fun at. I'm sentimental sometimes about the good old days of Bjelke era civil disobedience.
Ignore me and carry on.
Ahh, this discussion makes me proud to be Australian.
And whatever happened to "Measure twice - cut once"?
what a fukn joke....NSW nanny state once again.
Happens in QLD too.
"Sunshine Coast council and police warned surfers, including experienced big wave riders, that they will not be exempt from directions to leave the surf.........
Sunshine Coast water police officer in charge Kyle Bates said police will forcibly remove those who refuse to obey lifeguards, lifesavers or police.
Senior Sergeant Bates said surfers or swimmers will be given a notice to appear in court for “contravening a direction.”
“Police do not have to wait until until a police order is disobeyed,” Snr Sgt Bates said.
“Police can issue a court notice for any people who fail to take lifeguards’ advice.”
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/sunshine-coast/wayward-su...
Sunshine Coast, big surf ..... Haha;)
The amount of trouble a cop would get into if he uses his “discretion” and leaves, is pretty heavy especially if someone ends up getting hurt - or worse.
Imagine the Coroners Inquest asking why they left a couple of surfers in the water after two couldn’t get themselves out of the ocean? With the number of drownings in this area the media would be all over them.
It’s a lose, lose situation for the cops or any other rescue service for that matter.
I couldn’t believe the rock offs the boys are taking to get to my nearby wave.
Calculated, and thought out, but it’s as hairy as all get out and could easily go bad. Apparently they all make it out, but not for young players.
Fisho local says they leave the water in the same spot, but I find that hard to believe. I haven’t seen it and would not recommend it. The paddle to the beach, about a kilometre away is the usual out.
Don’t get to Solander much and wondered about the getting out, but no matter how heavy it gets you can paddle through the heads. It’s a good option to stay alive. The walk back will do you good too.
We could actually do with a legitimate and properly equipped surfside task force.
Kook Squad could get out there and bust some Kooks.
Don't know how or where to safely exit an overpowered break? Kook move, because of own stupidity, putting yourself and others, including the brave peeps of emergency services, at risk. Deserving of a verbal spray and a fine to reinforce.
Know your surf spot or stay the hell out. it seems a good rule to enforce.
In 1972, a kook commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Cape Solander underground. Today, still wanted by the government they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them....maybe you can hire The K-Team.
Identifying and pounding kooks reached a zenith around those years in the southern Sydney region.
Until some big-eared chap with a posh accent went left at Bondi, Charles Windsor I think he was called and they knew, kooks will be kings.
And the Kook will be sickened by us.
And the Kook will talk about us.
And the Kook will fear us.
And when the Kook closes their eyes at night, and they are tortured by their subconscious for the evil they have done,,,
It'll be with thoughts of us that they are tortured with.
One day a real Kook will come and wash all the scum off the streets.
Haha!
The moment you accept the lift is the moment the situation can be classified as a rescue. Show some resolve, politely refuse and paddle the last 80m
Where am I gonna go man? I’m not gonna paddle to Taiwan!
Seachange VIP's tethered Pool Toy teething Crisis averted...Phew! That was a close call!
Fuckin' lunatic was tethered to the wrong Crab Pot in waist high pleasant summer breeze swell.
https://www.wjhg.com/2023/06/20/video-man-chased-down-by-deputies-after-...
10 years now...Bodybasherz are banned from surfin' line-ups 2 months / year...did warn the skegz.
BOM-News-Police-Waterways-Schools-Lifeguards-Fishos-Clubbies-Boardriderz-Boogerz-Pools-[L]s
All ban free range detox surfing & hunt ya down > Abuse ya & order ya outta 'their' weaponized cesspit.
Lifeguard : Warns about bodysurfing in WSR Flags > your fault if one of 100 breaching Surfcraft hit ya!
Surfs Up! Breaky TV weather Girl mandates down tools & orders all kooks to strap on a crabpot...
Not before calling the boss a #@!% on live TV...Our Hero...bloody legends the lot of 'em!
Smoke each other & smother the beach & bins with truckloads of crumpled up Toxic oily biscuits.
How many do you do!
BodyBashin' therapy...(No need to cry over yer extraneous toxic bedfellow)
Banned from surfing 99% of Oz Coastline & all wave pool lineups!
Interplanetary Sunrays fuel waist high waves triggering mandatory leashes for crafty sea monkeys.
This Indian beach is similar to Crowded Goldie Summer Holidays week long toe dip bans.
No strings attached Ice cream Lid or milk bottle top or No XXXX Stubbie Cooler = No Toe Dip.
Typical Goldie or Indian mid Summer holidays waist high swell triggers next mRNA Vaccine Rollout!
Buy something then strap onto it for heavens sake...it's the end of the line for the free ride.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2021/Aug/25/mind-your-bu...
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/police-tighten-vigil-at-mar...
http://jdsrilanka.blogspot.com/2008/08/sri-lanka-police-forced-mentally....
https://observers.france24.com/en/20100111-tamil-man-drowned-during-poli...
They will rescue you, they will scold you, they will crap in your hat.
What swellnuts do to amuse themselves waiting for the spitting sidewinders of Shaka-Rama to ramp up. Lols