A Gerringong big wave rider would like to use a small section of Seven Mile Beach to teach local kids.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Rusty Moran says it is the safest part of the Kiama coast to learn how to surf, and his classes are small.
But Surf Camp Australia is the only surf school with permission from Kiama Council to operate there.
Moran has applied to the council for permission but has come up against a council policy adopted in 2010.
This decrees that there be only one surf school on Seven Mile Beach, after environmental concerns were raised.
The council is in the process of drafting a new policy, which would allow more than one surf school on the beach – but not soon enough for Kiama Councillor Matt Brown.
As the current and only licence holder, Kiama Council’s advice is to always let council rangers know of any unauthorised use by any other operator.
“A Sydney surf school has exclusive rights to Seven Mile Beach,” Cr Brown said.
“It’s a ridiculous policy. We have an international, big-wave surfer who has been living here for 10 years and wants to teach our kids to surf.”
He said other councillors backed the plan to relax the one-school rule at the beach – which is in fact 11km long (seven miles).
Read more: 32 hidden Wollongong spots the locals love
Surf Camp Australia owner Guy Olbourne, who lives in Gerroa with his wife and three children, is protective of his section of the beach.
When Moran ran classes at the river mouth in February, Olbourne reported him to Kiama council rangers and to Surfing NSW.
“As the current and only licence holder, Kiama Council’s advice is to always let council rangers know of any unauthorised use by any other operator,” Olbourne said.
“It is in my best interest to let council know it was not my surf school … especially when unlicensed operators are in exclusion zones set out by council.”
So Moran has to travel to Werri Beach and Berry Beach in the Shoalhaven – both of which are more suited to experienced surfers.
“We have to do the best with what we’ve got,” Moran said.
Dozens of local residents have backed Moran’s appeal, writing to council to support his application.
On Thursday council’s South Precinct Committee unanimously supported the venture.
Mr Olbourne said Surf Camp Australia buses more than 100 backpackers from Sydney to Gerroa for surf lessons each week.
“Surf Camp Australia has been operating at Seven Mile beach since 2001 with an impeccable safety record,” Olbourne said.
“The company has always been a proactive local youth employer and currently has 12 local staff.
“It has always been a supporter of local business injecting substantial money into the local economy.
“Surf Camp Australia conducts free and low-cost surf lesson programs to any local children aged 6-12 from the Kiama municipality.”
