New reef brings surf safety fears

BBC Online, 30 May 2008.

Fears are growing about safety on one of Cornwall's most popular surfing beaches after storms washed sand away exposing a large rocky reef.

Lifeguards and surfing instructors are concerned there will be a big increase in injuries this summer at Fistral Beach in Newquay.

The rocks are close to the shore, where most learners surf. Restormel Borough Council has rejected requests to dump sand on the rocks, saying it is a "natural occurrence".

Surf coach Mike Young said: "Ninety per cent of the people we teach are total beginners and the rocks are right where they are surfing.

"They fall off a lot so there's a real concern for their safety."

Martin Clemo, principal engineer for Restormel Borough Council, said: "It is a natural occurrence. There's not a lot we can do about the rocks becoming exposed."

"To try and cover them over would be extremely uneconomic and it could be very short term. Another storm could take all that sand away again."