This article is from page 4 of the 2006-07-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
IN RESPONSE to a growing number of collisions involving surfers in the water, Clare County Council is to erect signage displaying a ‘safecross-code’ for surfers at a number of Clare’s beaches.
With surfing becoming increasingly popular, the council’s Water Safety Officer, Liam Griffin confirmed that the council would be putting in place the signage at Clare’s Blue Flag beaches, Lahinch and Fanore.
Mr Griffin said, “There have been a couple on incidents lately of surfers colliding with each other in the water with one incident occurring where one surfer suffered a bad foot injury.
“A number of surfers wouldn’t have a clue on what to do in the water. It is a wonderful sport, but it can be dangerous for beach users if a surfer doesn’t know the basics.
“It is becoming more and more common for lifeguards to rescue surfers as some of them are very poor swimmers.”
Tom Buckley of the Lahinch Surf Shop and the West Coast Surf Club first called on the council to erect such signage three years ago.
He said, “There is a need to erect a ‘safe cross code’ at the surfing beaches.
“With each board that we sell, we also provide safety instructions for surfers on the water.
“We would be delighted to see the signage erected.”
Ennis surfer Brian Nevin was injured at Lahinch in a collision last Tuesday, needing hospital treatment and seven stitches to a bad gash on his left foot.
He told The Clare People , “Mine was a small injury, but I feel that it is only a matter of time before somebody is seriously injured and even killed in the water.”
“Not wanting to sound dramatic but surfboards can weigh up to 10kg in weight and conceivably reach speeds of 15km and 20km per hour. This can definitely cause serious injury.
“From my experience some water users are just not paying any heed to other water users.
“I don’t know why this is, maybe people are just not educated in the ways of safe water use.
Describing the incident, Mr Nevin said, “I had travelled about three or four metres when I noticed another surfer getting to his feet.
“I shouted to him that I ‘was on it’ but he either didn’t care or didn’t hear.
“The top of his board collided with my foot and he fell off, I continued along the wave but noticed blood on my board so I got out of the water.”