Cabarita approved as the next National Surfing Reserve
In a unanimous decision, the Cabarita Beach-Bogangar region of northern New South Wales has received official endorsement by the Board of National Surfing Reserves to move towards a formal dedication this summer. The much-loved Tweed coast break is referred to by locals as just ‘Caba’.
“The community is stoked to see our surfing environment honoured in this outstanding way,” said Dr Kerrie Foxwell-Norton, chairperson of the Local Steering Committee (LSC) and the first ever female head of a Surfing Reserve in the world.
The National Surfing Reserves Board comprises an eminent panel of coastal experts led by Professor Andrew Short and Brad Farmer who commended the nomination by the many locals and stakeholders who have recognised the significance of the regions waves and beaches.
Caba by Paget Thomson
National, Regional and World Surfing Reserves, an idea which a started in Australia in the early 1990’s by Brad Farmer, recognises iconic places of intrinsic social, sporting, cultural, environmental and heritage value. There are now 20 National Surfing Reserves across Australia, 10 World Surfing Reserves and growing number of Regional Surfing Reserves of which Cabarita Beach-Bogangar is regarded in an expanding global program which has attracted the support of state, local and national governments.
“While declaring Surfing Reserves at such beautiful places like Caba are largely symbolic in nature, it acknowledges the past, the present and importantly to future generations, that surfing beaches are a valuable and integral part of our national identity and way of life and need to be respected, preserved and shared,” Mr Farmer said today.
He said that beaches were the most sustainable valuable natural resource we have as a nation, more so that the finite supply of mineral exports. He added that while 90% of Australians lived by the coast more than 70% of international tourists came to just see our beaches.
From here, the Cabarita Beach-Bogangar LSC will meet regularly to develop a commemorative booklet, the installation of an official plaque and formal dedication ceremony.
Caba surfing region consists of a number of surfing breaks with ‘The Point’ and ‘Back Beach / Southsides’ the two most popular among local and visiting surfers. The area first came onto the travelling surfers radar in early 1960’s like many ‘north coast’ breaks and due to its consistency, natural beauty and passionate locals has become a favourite spot for surfers young and old, including National Surfing Reserve Ambassadors, Mick Fanning, Kelly Slater and Joel ‘Parko’ Parkinson.
Comments
We are pretty lucky in Australia many of our iconic and not iconic point breaks are still in a fairly natural state or hold a decent amount of greenery ( Parks, Grassed areas, golf courses), unlike say in many places where houses are built all the way to the beach.
Going up the coast
1. Sandon point
2.Crecent head
3. Angorie
4. Lennox
5. The pass
6. Caba
7. Snapper
8. Kirra (kind off)
9. The Alley
10. Burleigh
11. a few crappy points on the sunny coast
12. Noosa
Left a fair few lesser known points on the east coast off that list and plenty of other points in other states Bells/Winki in Vicco, Hobart points and other points in tassie) etc
It would be great if these surfing reserves held a significant amount of legislative protection against development, environment etc. and not so symbolic. Great work by everyone involved.
PS. No offence anyone, but man it's a shit wave.
No offence taken as you speak the truth. It's known more of a long board wave, but one good thing is that it is a bit of a wave magnet & reliable for a wave at most times when other waves are small or blown out as the headland gives protection from s/se winds. Then when the dreaded nth winds hit you go sth side.Its even had the occasionally "all time" surf when everything aligns, but that's rare. It's a good beach side little town to live, good community which has been known to rally around those that need help. Just have to keep a lid on development so it doesn't get ruined. If only the point was like a Snapper or Kirra wave or on second thoughts.......
Agreed Mick...great community...got a lot of good friends there who've lived through all the changes (pub, Casuarina, surf club, woolies etc)...it's remained pretty much the same at its core...speaks to the quality of the people.
Does the NSR support Jetski's in their Reserve , like at the Super Bank?
Not sure why you would want to expose your nice surf spot , unless you are looking for more mates to surf with!!
The pub at Caba was a nice place for a post surf countery and a schooner or two.
X 2 above, Caba's a pretty crappy wave for the most part though.
Grew up thru the 80's surfin the point and back beach and what an awesome spot to grow up it was.
Had days out there 6 foot+ breaking from the point to the pub when it was on. The goldie would be crowed as and caba would have 10 - 15 guys in the water, aahhhh thems were the days.
Great to see its been recognized for the beautiful place it is.
This following news repeats my early posts on...22/Feb/2018 Swellnet NSR's. + (3/3/2018)
Cabarita Beach/Bogangar NSR... (Tweed Daily News has [FREE]open view & Search)
Tweed Daily News 22nd Dec 2017 NSR (Proposal) + Tweed Shire support.
Tweed Daily News 20th Feb 2018 NSR (Dedication)
Commemorative booklet + Plaque + Dedication Ceremony to come.
(See Also) This Weekend!
*Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew AM Bridge dedication @ Gold Coast Oceanway. (3/3/2018)
Swellnetonian's dedication follows...(Rabbit Bartholomew on the Occ-cast -video)
(See also current local media for photos + festivities) Nice one Bugz!
When Caba Surf Reserve was announced... NSR Team was notably absent.(true!)
Only a dusty photo of Joel/Mick & B Farmer from GC Surf Reserve occasion.
Newspapers did all the heavy lifting & a very fine job they did!
Since then I've checked out Caba Boardriders but no news of Dedication or Plaque?
Only dated news of proposal? Nothing more...I checked Caba fb site as well !
More weird is National Surfing Reserve web sites were out cold recently...
NSR site news/dedications/updates were last updated in 2016 despite (www @2018 rego)
Is anyone at all representing NSR over the last few years....sure don't look like it?
What you read here is the latest wrap of our most recent NSR...We are the News!
What value a Surfing Reserve if none know + I'm guessing it needs a plaque/Mascot/tune ?
No NSR team? Swellnetonians will guard National Surf reserves for free Surfcam rights.
Only fair to ask if anyone knows if NSR's still actually exist legally or only ever just a fad?