An innovative project tackling ‘surf rage’ has been developed to reduce the number of incidents between local surfers and tourists to the Byron Bay area. The program targets beginner surfers and tourists and was announced in summer 2003.
The project is a cooperative approach between NSW Sport and Recreation, Byron Bay Shire Council, former world surfing champion Nat Young, Surfing Australia, Surfing Far North Coast, Surfrider Foundation, Byron Bay Boardriders Club, Southern Cross University, Byron Bay Youth Service and Surf Life Saving NSW.
Three main strategies were trialled:
Beach signage was developed and placed at Broken Head Beach and at The Pass in Byron Bay reminding surfers to give respect in the water in order to gain respect.
A brochure was designed with the help of local surfers to give tourists and beginner surfers a guide to the various beaches and breaks of Byron Bay. This brochure provided information about the appropriateness of each area for various levels of surfers. Brochures and stickers were distributed to all surf shops in Byron Bay, backpacker hostels and tourist outlets. The stickers were also sent to all shops in Byron Bay that hire out surf boards.
Professional surfers such as Nat Young and Kieran Perrow visited various schools, including Byron Bay Public School, Byron Bay High School and St Finbarrs Primary School to talk to kids about the program and the rules of surfing.
Surfers are currently being surveyed to assess the effectiveness of the program.