A sign that looks as if it has been officially sanctioned and which bans kite surfing, windsurfing and stand-up paddling at one of the Western Cape’s prime surf spots, has been causing waves among the surfing fraternity.
The sign, erected about two weeks ago at Elands Bay on the West Coast, states that these three types of surfers face a R1 000 fine or three months in jail if they paddle out at the famous surf break, thus leaving traditional stand-up surfers and body boarders the freedom to hog the waves.
The mystery sign, however, appears to be a hoax and has not been sanctioned by the municipality.
But despite this, surfers have reported that police have even taken the sign seriously, and some have called on particular types of surfers to clear the water.
“People don’t know whether the sign is legit or not. Nobody knows who put it up,” said Alan van Gysen, a photographer for ZigZag magazine and who photographed the sign.
“There has been no official statement from the council,” he said yesterday.
He said many wind and kite surfers feared risking a fine if they entered the water with their boards.
And Gary van Rooyen, director of Coreban Stand-Up Paddle Boards, which is located close to the beach, said the sign went up two weeks ago.
He said yesterday that it stipulated that, in terms of the National Parks, Beaches and Recreation Act, the use of certain craft at the beach was prohibited due to the dangers they posed to other ocean users.
Van Rooyen added that it also said that a contravention of the act was a criminal offence and that offenders would be arrested and their sporting items confiscated.
“This is a bitter pill to swallow for the paddle boarders and surfers who are disciplined,” he said, saying that most were careful to avoid other beach users.
Van Rooyen said that there was a problem with kite surfers, particularly “European kite surfers”, whom he said lacked “etiquette” when in the water and that they were reckless.
“They are very dangerous.
“Most of these guys go at an average of 40-50 km an hour and if they hit someone going at that speed, that person will surely be injured,” Van Rooyen said.
The Cederberg Municipality mayor, Jonas White, said yesterday he was not aware of the sign, and the council was in no way responsible for it.
“Kite surfing is a blessing from the Almighty,” he said.
“We will never put a ban on it. Elands Bay has the best waves and wind for kite surfing. We would never mess with that.” - The Cape Times