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Surfing is not Banned, Says DM

DUBAI — The Dubai Municipality has not banned surfing at Umm Suqeim Beach 2 but has only demarcated an area exclusively meant for swimmers, according to a statement by the authority on Tuesday.

Municipality Coastal Zone Management and Waterways Section Head Alya Al Harmoudi said surfers could use areas that are not cordoned off — referring to a rope which runs from breakwater to breakwater on the beach overlooked by Burj Al Arab.

“This move comes taking into consideration the safety of a large number of swimmers who flock to this particular beach most of the day throughout the year,” Al Harmoudi said.

“This doesn’t mean that surfers are not allowed there. They can use areas beyond the demarcated area and other parts of the beach.”

However, Dubai’s surfing community, estimated to be about 800 based on online registration to surf school Surf Dubai, argued that this could mean the end of surfing in the emirate by limiting surfers to areas in which waves did not break.

Surf Dubai Managing Director Scott Chambers said that the rope which ran the length of the beach, one of the last surf spots in Dubai, effectively banned surfing.

“Outside the current area which has been ‘demarcated exclusively for swimmers’ is not an area that is possible for people to surf,” he said.

“The waves suitable for surfing break only within the shallow areas that have been marked for swimming.”

However, Al Harmoudi said the municipality was considering an area for surfers.  “We’ve now demarcated this area for swimmers and are now studying the prospect of doing the same for surfers as well taking into consideration the waves and swell,” the official said.

Chambers said that the swell patterns and surf had changed dramatically in recent years and pointed to development as a possible contributor.

“Now it’s just a small window where there’s surf,” he said.

“It would effectively mean there’s nowhere to surf.”

Chambers said a flag system, such as that used in the UK and Australia where swimmers bathe between the flags and surfers are outside the flags, would provide a solution.

“It’s very important to remember that Dubai has approximately 90 days when conditions are suitable for surfing and these days are not really suitable for swimming as the currents can be strong. 

“Having designated areas for swimming (approx 30-50m) also improves the safety of all swimmers as lifeguards will be able to patrol a specific area.”

Chambers said the surfing community would like to provide advice and information on the issue and on the changes in surf and swell along the emirate’s coastline.

Joel Fitzgerald, an Australian who has surfed in Dubai for two years, said it would be a shame if the sport could not continue.

“They need to work it out – it’s really great for the kids and gets them out and doing exercise,” he said.

Dallas Michaels has grown up surfing in Dubai and said he doubted whether the sport would survive in Dubai.

“Surfing will be gone in another few years with all of the development — it’s a bit sad. “Now there’s only a swell once in a blue moon.”

zoe@khaleejtimes.com

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