'No intention' to ban surfing or surfboards from Bondi Beach

The mayor in charge of Bondi Beach says his council has no intention to ban surfing or surfboards from Australia's most iconic bay.

Waverley Mayor John Wakefield insists the council has no intention to ban surfboards at Bondi Beach.

Waverley Mayor John Wakefield insists the council has no intention to ban surfboards at Bondi Beach. Source: AAP

Any plan to ban surfers from a section of Australia's most iconic beach appears dead in the water.

The council in charge of Bondi floated the idea in a survey to locals as part of its annual review of risks at a number of beaches.

It asked whether any board with a fin should be restricted to the famed bay's southern end - as is now the case for boards made of fibreglass.
An aerial image of Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach.
An aerial image of Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach. Source: AAP
But Waverley Mayor John Wakefield on Wednesday insisted there was "no intention of banning surfboards on Bondi beach".

"The issue is becoming a little bit overblown," he told reporters in Sydney.

"No policy has been devised. No proposal has been received. There's a survey asking questions about what people perceive to be problems and potential solutions."

The question was put in the survey after Waverley Council moved a motion asking for a review of the definition of surfboards.

That was because "large numbers of people" in Bondi, particularly swimmers, were concerned about boards with foam tops being allowed between the flags, Mr Wakefield said.

"We're conducting a survey to find out the depth of the concern. (But) we believe we have the mix right now."

The results of the survey, which is costing several thousand dollars, are due back to council for consideration within two months.


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