New permit system resulted in fewer surf camps
Terry Dunn knew there was something different in the water.
The long-time surfer was hanging out in the water off Bay Street on Monday, chatting with an acquaintance about the noticeable decrease in beach activity, seeing fewer novices attempting to ride the waves.
“Last year it was your typical zoo in August with a million classes,” Dunn said. “This year it’s a lot less.”
The drop could be attributed to heightened City Hall regulation of surf camps this summer, all instruction activity, whether group or one-on-one lessons, is required to have a permit for the first time.
Camps and private instruction were previously free to operate without a city-issued permit as long as they had less than 20 students. The lax policy resulted in a number of problems, including occasional conflicts between recreational surfers and teachers, and challenges for lifeguards trying to manage the safety of everyone in the water.
The issues led city staff to draft a new ordinance instituting a new permit system, which went into place at the beginning of the summer.
City Hall was one of only two or three municipalities in the state that didn’t regulate surfing instruction, which is one of the reasons why there was such a huge number of operations at the beach.
The result of the new system seems to be a less crowded beach.
“I have nothing against people who are trying to learn,” Dunn, who is teaching his 6-year-old daughter the sport, said. “But it was pretty crowded last year.”
Dunn pointed out that most surfers are actually pretty easy-going and were non-confrontational with the instructors.
Zeynep Aksoz, a surfer from Austria who has visited the city the past few summers, said most of the professional-caliber surfers stay farther out in the water, avoiding collisions with the beginners.
“The kids (at the camps) surf better than I do,” Aksoz said.
City staff worked with county lifeguards to determine where different types of instruction and activity should be located, including which areas could better accommodate group or private lessons.
City Hall then solicited applications from prospective surf camp operators and schools offering private lessons, ultimately receiving more than 10 applications, turning away approximately four. The applicants were required to have CPR certified staff and a minimum of five years owning and operating a business of a similar size and scope. Businesses that would teach children were required to have at least one certified lifeguard in the group. All instructors were also required to undergo a police background check.
In the end, the most qualified operators were selected, Callie Hurd, the open space manager for City Hall, said.
The application and permits costs $150 and schools are required to pay 15 percent of their gross receipts to City Hall.
Only four surf camps received a permit — two a piece operating on the north and south sides of the pier. A provider was also selected to run a private and semi-private instruction near the pier, accommodating all the beach-front hotels but keeping the lessons open to the general public.
319,“All of the hotels told us what they need and that they would like to provide their guests,” Hurd said. “We customized a permit specifically to deliver that type of service.”
The total number of permits includes about three sole proprietors who offer lessons to one or two students. About five more of those applications are currently pending.
Among the licensees is Islands Surf Camp, which has operated at the beach for the past 12 years.
“There’s less camps and the kids and parents are happier … because there’s just more space,” Dan Jesson, the owner of Islands, said. “I think the idea of limiting the amount of private interest on public property is always a good idea.
“Ultimately, it’s a public beach and its main purpose is to provide a place of recreation for local residents.”
But those who didn’t receive a permit might be singing a different tune.
Jessica Anderson, whose husband runs the Christian Anderson School, ran a surf camp for 10 years before his application was rejected.
Anderson typically took time off in the summer from his work in the movie set building industry in order to teach children how to surf. After his bid was denied, Anderson took a movie job out of state.
“When that happened, it was devastating because he worked from the movie business and does this,” she said. “He didn’t know where to go.
“It was really a lame deal.”
City Hall will evaluate the new system at the end of the summer and decide whether to propose any more changes to the City Council. Hurd said minor changes can be done by staff without council approval.
Hurd, who for years worked at San Diego and Santa Cruz area beaches for the California State Parks, said she has not heard of any students getting turned away by a camp because they’ve reached capacity.
“It’s difficult to come up with a system that is fair and equitable that meets everyone’s needs,” she said. “There are several ways to do it and we will have to work together to find the best way to do it for Santa Monica.”
Christina Yoon contributed to this report
Jump hedline: New permit system resulted in less surf camps
Suggested pullquote: “Last year it was your typical zoo in August with a million classes … this year it’s a lot less.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 6, 2008. Read the original PDF.