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TAKE A BREAK TO SAVE ONE
Spend 30 seconds now -- score another 30 years surfing Cape Hatteras
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March 18, 2009
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3000 people.
That was the estimated number of attendees at the San Diego "Save Trestles" rally last spring, sparking a surge of momentum to keep So Cal's top surfing epicenter free from toll roads.
It may not be the industry's backyard, but for more than four decades Cape Hatteras has served as the dominant beacon of East Coast surfing. It's the home of the ESA Easterns, the place where every single homegrown 'CT player scored their first major amateur title. It's the same region that produces all those heaving tubes you drool over each hurricane season. |
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And for those who grow up between Maine and Miami, it's often the first surf trip, the routine family vacation, the very soul of what's best about Atlantic wave-riding: lots of peaks, pitching lips, and heaps of space. When we call it "sacred," we're not just speaking for thousands of East Coasters, we're quoting them directly - or at least three of them - namely the Hobgood brothers and Kelly Slater. In fact, Slates goes so far as to call it a "Mecca for Easterners and all US surfers alike." (You can read their full letters here.) Without going into too much detail or history, right now a huge chunk of this 'mecca' faces being shut-off because of an overzealous lawsuit by the Audubon Society and Defenders of Wildlife, claiming to protect turtles and ten bird species (piping plovers being the primary concern). Closed not just to Off-Road Vehicles (aka 'beach driving'), but pedestrians, as well. In some cases, the breaks threatened are among best waves around; in others, they can be the only rideable spots for hours. And from now through August, you might not get within miles of them. Furthermore, these restrictions could remain in place for the next 30 years, despite the following facts: 1. 90- 98% of the morality rates attributed to the animals is due to predation and weather - not 'human contact' (which includes everything from ORVs to loose dogs.) 2. Of the 21 documented ORV-related plover deaths in the US, 20 were committed by federal vehicles; and no deaths have been documented in Cape Hatteras. 3. Humans actually scare off the very predators that are killing the bulk of the birds. 4. The increased closures have produced no increase in local animal populations whatsoever. Trip Forman, one of the owners of Real Watersports in Rodanthe, represented surfing, kiteboarding, and the every other water sports activity over two and half years of meetings between pro- and anti- access groups, before they officially finished last month. His take? "The number one thing killing everything on Cape Point is storm overwash and predation. Those two are responsible for between 90 and 98 % of the losses. So they're focusing their whole recovery plan on 2% to 10% of the problem. And anyone who runs a business or some other project will tell you that the 90% to 98% is where you focus your time and effort. We're on the very southern edge of the plover recovery plan, of which we're a single digit percentage. So a national park is being closed to citizens in defense of a micro-percentage of a species that - while it's making a comeback in its other habits - is having no difference right here either way. We want the birds to flourish. We want the turtles to flourish. But the problem with this process is nothing's flourishing. So what we want is for the park to look toward this situation with a 'net gain' approach: find a way where the wildlife gains, the users gain, and the businesses gain. We believe there's a way to do that." With the meetings over, the next step is for park officials to determine which areas to keep open and which ones to close seasonally. They've already heard from thousands of fishermen, birdwatchers and other beach-lovers speaking up for their favorite spots. Now we need thousands of surfers to speak up for theirs. We're not asking anyone to sacrifice eight hours of your day and hold up a protest sign; all you need to do is send your name and hometown to this email: [email protected] Trip will the include them all in his final submission to the park on March 25. If you happen to have some positive personal insights, feel free to include them; and if you happen to be a pro surfer or industry big wig, please put your title, as well. Remember: No 'plover-hating.' The whole purpose here is to clarify to decision-makers just how important surfers are to Cape Hatteras as lifelong coastal stewards -- and how important Cape Hatteras is to surfers lifestyles and livelihoods. And how important is that? Well, somewhere between accepting his ninth world title and beginning his assault on number 10, Kelly Slater - the busiest man in the sport, at the busiest time of the year - took a minute to stand up for what he considers one of the most important waves on the planet. All we're asking is for you to do half that much. For the full conversation with Trip Forman about the ins and outs of the decision-making process -- as well as CJ and Kelly's full letters -- go to the Surf-First blog. For ongoing coverage of the issue, monitor IslandFreePress.org; and for a history of the fight, the lawsuit, and how a recovering species of birds is being used under false pretenses to limit access, click here. And to help make sure the next time we face an access fight we have hard data to proves surfers are as important as the next user group, go to Surf-First and take the survey. If you have already, tell someone else. MORE SURF NEWS SURFLINE HOME PAGE |
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Comments: (50) Add Your Comment
Derf McTighe 03/26/2009 02:11 PM
We have seen this type of extreme thinking here in NJ @ Sandy Hook where you can't surf or walk in Plover areas,where foxes are more of a danger than a surfer walking in the surf line.As surfers we are respectful of nature but extremeism in wildlife orgs are getting out of hand.I am sure not all are like that but it only takes a few to make these org's look bad!
Derk 03/26/2009 01:17 PM
I have surfed this break for my entire life.We drive away from the tourism and crappy waves of Va. Beach to enjoy the thick lipped slammers of Salvo and Rodanthe. If you have never seen Hatteras and Frisco wrap-around during a hurricane swell,then you have no idea what we will be missing out on by closing the beaches.As locals,we love and respect the ocean we CO-EXIST with.Small percentages ruining it for the rest of us.Save the OBX,but not with lawsuits.Education and enforcement of simple rules
Fran Kurek , Baltimore MD 03/26/2009 09:20 AM
The over zealous wacos are after any emotional issue that will get them a donation so they dont have to get a real job were they contribute to the Country.
We have no measurable impact on the sand bars of the Cape and the Cape gets wiped clean with every hurricane. Its been that way forever. Are we so pompus as to think we are greater than nature?
All sufers and sportsman are the original enviromentalists. And we dont asked to be paid!
Dan757 03/26/2009 06:18 AM
I have been surfing at Cape Hatteras all my life, and they just can't take away are way of life. What they need to do is stop building all these new beach houses, and just leave it how it use.
j-mccoms 03/25/2009 08:22 PM
comman-sense-is-there-any-left-in-this-world-if-it-werent-for-duck-hunters-there-would-less-ducks[conservationists]without-surfers;fisherman-n0-hatteras-plain-as-the-abc's
mojosurfer 03/25/2009 10:04 AM
Having Surfed the area dozens of times and being from the Florida area all I can say they get a little and then they want more.I grew up surfing the gulf and east coasts I can take you to spots I used to surf that no longer exist and ones going into that state Hatteras is a cause worth fighting for on the East Coast as it is one of the last places where you can travel rather inexpensive catch quaility waves and feel like you were on a surf trip with open beaches every where leave it alone please
virginia beach 03/25/2009 08:01 AM
hatteras is gods counttry lol you cant just deny surfers their RIGHT from enetering to try and save a couple of birds from getting run over when i garantee the rangers will drove oon the beaches stilll
Steve Wilster 03/25/2009 07:55 AM
I've surfed the entire Hatteras area starting in the early 70's. Each year I could hardly wait to leave Florida for the annual trip. My take is the environment has to be protected and preserved for future people and animals as best that can be done. However, that "best" way is usually what causes problems like this. Cutting off access to this awesome break isn't the answer. Controlling how we use it and the means to get there is. There has to be some middle ground and it should be good for all.
Mike 03/25/2009 04:35 AM
I could care less about the vehicles. They 're crap anyways, but foot traffic? Are they high? I'm going this weekend (hopefully) and if I can't walk on the beach, there's something fishy going on
Enrique Polotso 03/24/2009 07:38 PM
This is just like the hypocritical argument used by those that didn't want to ban towing at Ghosttrees. You can't have it both ways, calling yourself an environmentalist only when it serves your surfing agenda. I agree that banning pedestrian access goes too far, but it's foolish to think that a large amount of human traffic wouldn't have a negative impact. Forcing surfers in to park off of the highway and walk a distance wouldn't be the end of the world and would be a legitimate compromise.
chris 03/24/2009 06:36 PM
Driving on the beach in NC is a way of life... not anymore boys... ridin' yer boat to hatteras is going to be the new way of life! :)
Ralph Johnson 03/24/2009 08:15 AM
I live in san diego CA and surf here. I grew up at Wrightsville Beach, surfed there , Topsail, Atlantic Beach & Hatteras. These environmentalists need to learn that they cannot have tunnel vision. we can protect the critters and still enjoy the ocean with recreational sports. Grow up! I am beginning to see a backlash toward all of these wacky environmental issues. This is a shame because we do need to protect our environment using some common sense.
Brendan 03/24/2009 07:25 AM
i think cape hatteras is one of the best surf spots in the world ive been there over 500 times surfing and the way it barrels is so perfect all those wildlife junkies need to get a life and then go to fucking los angelos and help them not us they need it
AC 03/24/2009 06:44 AM
Let's forget about he surf for a minute and think about how this generally affects the locals of the Outer Banks. I was there in November for a few days and everyone I met, from surf shop workers to restaurant and bar owners were concerned about thier way of life and about supporting their families. Surfing is only part of the issue. Surf fishing is huge in the area and many tackle shops had already went under in November. The current ecomony coupled with no access would be a death sentence.
wavedancer 03/23/2009 12:03 PM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Nickname
View All Comments (50 comments)
I grew up in rural N. California where off-roading is viewed as birthright. A lot of the arguements in support of driving on this beach sound like arguements that were/are used in support of off-roading in streams and rivers. There is real environmental damage being done and the notion that digging up plants and flattening terrain with your knobbies HELPS is BS as is the 19-out-of-20 birds killed by "federals" arguement. Those were reported deaths. I guarantee the unreported number is higher
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