World’s first surf council formed in Australia

Wave Resources

World’s first ‘Surf Council’ inaugurated on the Gold Coast

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 20 February, 2013 : - - In a significant world first, a gathering of all surfing groups on the Gold Coast has formally agreed to form a ‘Surf Council’ to act as the official voice for the surfing community in the city. The initiative which began with a record number of representatives in December is planning to create a template for other surf cities to follow internationally.

The move is seen as the beginning of formalising surfers into a collective to address a number of regional issues, beginning with a ‘Surf Management Plan’. On the 26th of February the Gold Coast City Council will vote on a proposal to give the surfing community a say in strategic decision making, by partnering with the Surf Council to create the world’s first city wide Surf Management Plan.

The Gold Coast is regarded as the foremost surf city in the world with over 90% of the population identifying the beach as the most valuable lifestyle component.

Co-convenors of the Gold Coast Surf Council, Dan Ware and Brad Farmer, have begun discussions with all stakeholders to move the plan forward. The Kirra meeting on February 19, formed an ‘Executive’ to meet monthly and the Surf Council to meet quarterly.

Ware and Farmer were endorsed as co-chairs to drive the process forward. Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew AM will sit on the Surf Council Advisory Board, along with eminent surfing elders and coastal experts. Chris Butler has been elected Council Secretary.

Ware and Farmer will tell the Global Surf Cities Conference to held at Kirra next week (27/2) that the concept and execution of a Surf Council and Surf Management Plan will finally elevate surfers to become key players in decisions, which affect the coastal zone and the surfers lifestyle.

It is envisaged that every major surf region in the world will create a Surf Management Plan and a regional Surf Council. It is estimated that surfing contributes $3b to the Gold Coast economy.

www.surfingreserves.org

Source: GCSC

Author: The Editors

Tags: Gold Coast Surf Council, Government, Brad Farmer

Environment: Surfersvillage