UPDATE: (April 23, 2002) – American Whitewater has been informed by individuals at the town meeting that the town, boaters, and surfers agreed to work together on a voluntary education campaign to ease tensions and address safety concerns. While regulations might be considered again in the future, the issue is tabled for now. Congratulations to the boating community and American Whitewater’s members for making their voices and interests heard!
American Whitewater member, Rick Starr, has appealed to the boating community for our help in protecting the public right to surf kayak in Santa Cruz. Starr reports that the town of Santa Cruz is considering changes to their city code to prohibit all kayaks from operating within 300 yards of the shore. This would effectively eliminate all surfing opportunities. The City Parks and Recreation Department will be holding a public meeting on April 22 to gather information about this issue. If you live in the area, it is very important to attend this meeting.
American Whitewater is researching the issue and the question of whether this proposal would violate the state’s navigability laws and/or constitution, which effectively and broadly protect your right to float on California’s rivers and streams. If you are interested in helping, please contact us.
Original Appeal for Help from Rick Starr
Greetings Kayakers,
The City of Santa Cruz is considering changes to their city code to prohibit all kayaks from operating within 300 yards of the City’s shoreline. The City Parks and Recreation Department is holding a public meeting on April 22 to gather information about this issue. Attached and shown below is some information regarding the proposed change. Please pass this information on to paddlers you know, and to any other person who is interested in maintaining open access to ocean resources. Please plan on coming to the meeting to support the continued use of kayaks in nearshore waters of the City.
Thanks,
Rick Starr
How You Can Help
The City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department is considering changes to the ocean sports ordinance code. Under the proposed change, kayaks and other boats propelled by oars or paddles would be required to stay 300 yards offshore of the City’s coastline. The City proposes to redefine kayaks as vessels and require them to stay offshore to reduce the possibility of kayaks striking swimmers and surfers. If this change is made, you would not be able to surf or paddle near the shoreline or in kelp beds in the City of Santa Cruz.
A meeting will be held at 6:00 pm on Monday, April 22 at the Police Department Community Center (155 Center Street) to collect public input about this issue. You can call the Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department for more information at (831) 420-6015.
Please come to this meeting to speak out against this ordinance change. Some of the reasons for opposing the change include:
All water sports have an element of risk that can’t be removed
The City does not have any evidence that kayaks and paddle boats are less safe than surfboards
The City should educate, not legislate, to change behaviors in the surf zone
The City should not restrict access to ocean resources; it is inequitable and unfair.
The City should continue to support multiple uses of ocean resources
The City would lose revenues if this ordinance was changed because many people paddle near the ocean shore in Santa Cruz, for a wide
Another Appeal for Help from Charlie Rath
Jason,
I’ve been a member for going on 25 years. Mostly kayak surfing. Surfers in Santa Cruz, CA have gotten the ear of the local city council to propose restricting any kayak or paddle craft from within 300 yards of the coastline. It would seemingly ban any launch from a beach within the city limits. There is an open hearing on April 22nd in Santa Cruz. Is there any assistance that AWA can provide at this hearing?
There isn’t really any organization working on access issues related to thecoast that I am aware of. The following message was posted by Rick Starr (has been on the US Team at World Surf Kayak Championships the last few years) on Surf Zone (located at Boatertalk.com). Its created a buzz and I expect that quite a few local boaters will show up. It would be helpful if AWA could show too. It would certainly be a good recruiting moment, and given what is at stake, those of us who have been a bit complacent might be expected to get active. Some helpful advice from the California AWA folks that have fought to help open the Feather and the Mokolumne could channel the energy being stirred up.
Regards,
Charlie Rath