RESOLUTION NO. 06-0602.08

RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING SURFING BEACHES IN THE TOWNSHIP OF
LONG BEACH.

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Long Beach has received an increasing number of requests for the establishment of surfing beaches where surfers may surf the waves of Long Beach Island using their surfboards; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners has requested that the Long Beach Township Beach Patrol survey the beaches and make recommendations as to where beach areas exist which are suitable for both surfing and swimming; and

WHEREAS, three criteria were established for the selection of such beaches; and

WHEREAS, the first of the three criteria was an adequate distance along the beach between the jetties in order to allow a reasonable safety buffer zone separating surfers from swimmers as well as having safety buffer zones to protect both swimmers and surfers from the jetties; and

WHEREAS, the second criteria was to select beaches which were relatively uncrowded when compared with other Long Beach Township beaches in order that surfers and swimmers both would have room to enjoy the ocean in their designated areas; and

WHEREAS, the third criteria was that the designated beaches for surfing have a decent sandbar for good wave break to ride; and

WHEREAS, the Long Beach Township Beach Patrol has identified seven beach areas which meet all three criteria; and

WHEREAS, the seven beach areas which meet the three designated criteria are

1. 32nd St. Beach	Brant Beach
2. 48th St. Beach	Brant Beach
3. 72nd St. Beach	Brant Beach
4. 85th St. Beach	Brighton Beach
5. 110th St. Beach	Haven Beach
6. 122nd St. Beach	Dunes
7. 14th St. Beach	North Beach Haven; and

WHEREAS, the Long Beach Township Beach Patrol recommends that the use of blue flags to designate surfing areas should be used and further recommends that surfers under the age of fourteen be required to utilize a surfboard leash/leg rope and that persons using kayaks be required to wear safety helmets; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Long Beach has considered the request: of surfers and the recommendations of the Long Beach Township Beach Patrol.

NOW, THEREFOR, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Long Beach at a regular meeting held Friday, June 2, 2006 that the seven (7) above identified beaches shall be and are hereby designated as surfing areas for the 2006 Summer Season and that such beaches be designated by the use of blue flags to be placed daily by the lifeguard staff.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that persons using the surfing area who are under the age of fourteen (14) shall be required to wear a leash/leg rope and that persons using kayaks shall wear safety helmets while kayaking in the surfing area.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all beach regulations of the Township of Long Beach including, inter alia and without limitation, the requirement for beach badges, the requirements for strict observance of lifeguards' actions including, closing of beaches, shall be strictly observed.